Blog Posts

November 2025 Mustard Seed - Announcements

11/30/2025

The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction   By Adam S McHugh

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak." —James 1:19
“How would our lives change if we approached every experience with the intention of listening first?
    Adam McHugh places listening at the heart of our spirituality, our relationships and our mission in the world. God himself is the God who hears, and we too can learn to hear what God may be saying through creation, through Scripture, through people. By cultivating a posture of listening, we become more attentive and engaged with those around us. Listening shapes us and equips us to be more attuned to people in pain and more able to minister to those in distress.
    Our lives are qualitatively different—indeed, better—when we become listeners. Heed the call to the listening life and hear what God is doing in you and the world.”
    Throughout the year, our congregations will be meeting monthly to discuss the book. Each month there will be two different sessions for one to pick from. In the month of November, we will continue our book discussion.
    The sessions made available for November will be;

November 5, 2025; in person/zoom at Faith Lutheran in adult education room; 6:00pm
November 9, 2025: in person at Jerusalem Lutheran, after worship at 12:30pm

Greetings! You are all invited to our Faith Education Dinner. We will focusing on the Bible this year. This dinner will be held on the second Sunday of the month, this month, Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 5:30-7pm. This dinner is geared toward teens and adults. However, activities will be provided for all ages. Come eat and learn!

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 November 5, 2025, this month.
For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich. All are welcome!

November 2nd is All Saints’ Sunday, where we remember those who have passed away in the past year. If you would like someone included in the prayers that day, please let Janet in the church office know.

Christian Radio keeps the faith going
      88.9 FM WORD -- Contemporary Christian Rock 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!

Understand the Bible in ten minutes a day with plans for every book and guides for every chapter.

Through the Word is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping people around the world to read the Bible, understand it, apply it, and make it a habit. They provide simple yet powerful tools via the web and mobile apps that lead users on a journey to understand the entire Bible, one chapter at a time. TTW combines clear, balanced, and relatable teaching with direct accessibility. Their purpose is God’s calling: to make disciples, equip the saints, and preach the word. (Mat. 28:19, Eph. 4:12, 2 Tim, 4:2)

TTW is the cure for broken Bible habits and lost-in-Leviticus syndrome. Easy to start, easy to keep, easy to share. Go to throughtheword.org or download the app on your phone.

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.
            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.

"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)

Sunday School: Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church new Sunday School hours will be at 9:30am during the worship service.
Our teachers are Gail Achilles, Anna Friedrich,
Nancy Gansner & Kate Waldman
Classes are held during Worship Service in the Church’s Sunday School Room.
The children will leave worship service after the Pastor-led children’s sermon and return to worship service before the rite of Holy Communion.
Please call the Church office 215-368-0240 or email [email protected] to register your child for Sunday School.
Any questions or comments, contact Gail Achilles, Christian Education Chair.
We are looking forward in sharing Jesus’ love and word with your Child(ren).

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.

* * * * * * *

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

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Our Monday Night Bible Study group will be meeting on Zoom on Monday nights from 7-9pm. If you would like to grow in your relationship with Jesus and fortify your Faith in fellowship, please join us.
Here is the zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82697873852?pwd=I9NPiMekDaNswbF3BJe6xIMvJFmWKO.1

Meeting ID: 826 9787 3852      Passcode: 143104

All are welcome to join, please contact Gail Achilles by email [email protected] or text at 267-664-3328 if interested.

Faith Lutheran is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

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Parents’ Night Out (PNO) – Youth Fellowship (YF)

Looking for a night out and a fun, safe place to bring the kids?

Well, look no further! We here at Faith Lutheran Church are ready to care for your child(ren) in a safe environment, provide food and fun activities, and share the love of Jesus.

The children will have dinner when they arrive consisting of pizza or chicken nuggets, grape and apple slices with caramel dip, water, 100% fruit juice, then enjoy music, games, crafts, stories, and end the evening with popcorn and a movie!
PNO-YF is held on a Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm. The schedule for 2025 is: Nov 21, Dec 12

If interested, please register at www.faithmontgomeryville.org and click on the PNO – YF tab or call 215-368-0240.

Note: A minimum donation of $5.00 per child is suggested so we can provide future youth events.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Email: [email protected]

Where the Word of Jesus is spoken, heard and lived!

* * * * * * *
Young Adult Fellowship for ages 12 to 17.
Looking for somewhere to learn about Jesus with others your age? Join us at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montgomeryville every third Sunday in 2025 from 6:00-7:30pm!

Expect to have fun while learning about the Word of God by joining in prayer, devotions and readings at the church. We will also have occasional outings around the area such as mini golf, bowling and more! Our adult support team will provide snacks and beverages during meetings. We hope to see you soon!

Where? Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 Cowpath Rd. Montgomeryville, PA 18036 (215) 368-0240
When? Third Sunday of the month from 6:00-7:30pm
Dates for 2025: Nov 16, Dec 21.

Please don't hesitate to contact us at the number above, we hope to see you soon!

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 PROJECT FOR NOVEMBER – CODE BLUE HELPING THE HOMELESS
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°. Faith will be collecting socks, mittens, gloves and scarves as well as energy bars, individual packs of crackers, juice boxes, etc. (If you’d like to donate money instead, we can purchase Amazon gift cards to donate too.) Please put these donations in the purple 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!

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34 (NKJV)

December Social Ministry Project:SHARING CHRISTMAS WITH “JASMINE”, “JOEY” and “XAVIER” FROM MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL, now known as GEMMA SERVICES Can’t believe it is already time this year to be thinking about Christmas.
    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.

            Jasmine           age 7               Unicorn squishmallow, Crayola art kit, LOL African American Doll

Joey                age 9              football, Spiderman action figure, Jenga

          Xavier           age 12              remote control car,
Lego set (car theme)

    These gifts will be on display on Sunday, December 14. After the church service, you will be asked to make your donations toward our goal of $195.
    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 others care so very much!
    May your holidays be blessed as you are blessing these children!
                               In Christ, Sharon Hood

“Noisy Can” Offering – We continue to collect change for God’s Global Barnyard, every third Sunday, which will be November 16, 2025, this month
A noisy coin offering is a worship service collection where members donate loose change to a specific cause. The collection is called "noisy" because the coins make a clanging sound as they are placed in the offering bucket.
    On the third Sunday of each month, you will be asked by our Sunday School children to donate your “loose change” in our collection can for God’s Global Barnyard. Of course, paper money is fine too.   This is our continuing Christian love to serve others.
    This collection will continue from January through November. In December, the Sunday School children will be asked what animals to purchase based on your total donations. A variety of animals helps provide ample nutrition and a sustainable source of income for many families.
    For January - September, God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection” has received a total of $469.50.
      In Christ, Sharon Hood & Debbie Hollenbach, Co-Chairs


THANK YOU “FAITH FAMILY” for Sharing with Claire of 141 Impact (our September Project)
    As always, your Social Ministry team is very grateful for your generous support. Your generous donation of $158 will help invest in Claire’s future.
Sharon Hood, Co-Team Leader

We made $75 in profit from the Wawa Hoagie Sale on October 12, 2025. Thank you everyone who participated in this delicious fundraiser!

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)

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.

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

“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

November 2025 - Council Notes

11/30/2025

Council Notes October 1, 2025

Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the September meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: At 75% of the 2025-year, our receipts are about 76% and expenses are around 72%. Member Giving for Pledged & Unpledged Envelopes is at 72% and 124%. The deficit for the month is $396, and our year-to-date deficit is $21,453. Although we are matching our budget, we are still in an increasing deficit. The Treasurer’s Report of September was approved as written.

President’s Report: We are kicking off our Stewardship campaign of “A Listening Faith” which will be the focus of our breakfast worship service on Sunday, October 19th at 9:30am. Although our deficit was small this month, we are still depleting our savings. If we are not making any changes, how can we expect to turn this around.

Pastor’s Report: I have led and presided at worship regularly throughout the month and Faith and Jerusalem. I continue to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain. Will be officiating at the wedding of Jonathan Hollenbach and Tia Blauvelt on October 17, 2025. We have been doing sessions and planning the service. Worked with Debbie and the finance team to pick a new healthcare plan through Portico Benefits. Enrollment is in October. Faith Education Dinner is restarting at 5:30pm on Sunday, October 12, 2025. We will focus on the Bible this year. Working with confirmation families to come up with a date for Confirmation Sunday. We have two youth participating in and checking in with the others. Upcoming vacation: November 23, 2025: My brother is running the Philadelphia Marathon, and I want to support him. Rich will be leading worship.

Ministry Team Reports:
Christian Education:
    Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our small group is doing a study on Lysa Terkeurst’s book “It’s Not Supposed to be this Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointment Leaves You Shattered.” We meet Monday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. Anyone interested in joining contact Gail Achilles at email [email protected] or cell 267-664-3328 or just pop in on us anytime on the zoom link. All are welcome.
    Sunday School: Children ages 3 to 11 are welcome to attend Sunday school (Children leave during Worship service with the Sunday school teacher after children’s sermon and return for communion). It is very convenient for the parent/caregiver to attend worship while their children attend Sunday school. Our rotating teachers this school year are Anna Friedrich, Nancy Gansner, Kate Waldman, and Gail Achilles.
    Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF): – We will be meeting October 24, 6 pm to 9 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is Chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4-6, NIV) “4 For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One He loves.” We will also add a touch of Halloween to this event.
    Young Adult Group (ages 12 to 17) – This month’s meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will discuss and discern as we do an object lesson inspired by Ephesians 1:4-6 plus enjoy other fun activities and treats for this time of year.

Communications: Check out the inspiring message on our front yard sign. Thanks again John Taylor.

Finance: The Finance Team will be meeting on 10/30 to continue the 2026 budget work. The finance Team is recommending going with the Simple plan of $876 from Gusto for 2026 as the new payroll company. All voted to approve this motion. We are going to stop using Vanco as our e-giving provider and look for another company. Finance will set up an external financial review of the financial records of 2024. We will need to go to Special Funds for this expenditure Finance will set up an internal review in 2026 of the 2025 financial records. VBS CD: a 13-month CD is chosen as it provides better management for VBS.

Fellowship/Hospitality: Anne expressed her thankfulness to everyone who keeps our kitchen stocked with food, treats, beverages, and supplies and those who help with the cleanup and set up every Sunday. Pastor, Rich and all of council added how much we appreciate Anne for her enthusiastic, conscientious work for our weekly church fellowship coffee hour and other similar events.

Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project and Listening Faith.

Mutual Ministry: The Mutual Ministry team met with Adam and Janet, which went smoothly, and will meet with Pastor this month. Recommend a 6% salary increase for the Pastor salary. All voted in favor of this motion.

Nominating Team: Melissa Prunkel is the chair along with Janet Hill and Bonnie Staller. Six council members will continue in 2026. One must leave (Rich) and one is eligible to run for a second term (John). We can have up to three more council members (total of nine).

Property Team: The two large potholes on Morgan Street have been filled. The team needs to investigate the fallen tree in the back corner of the parking lot.

Social Ministry: August – $324 was raised for Vacation Bible School’s project, Operation Kid to Kid – warm coats, etc. September – 141 Impact/Impact One for One – Uganda. October – Bread and Muffin mixes will be collected for Thanksgiving and given to the Food Cupboard in Hatfield. “Noisy Can Collection” – January – September, God’s Global Barnyard has received a total of $469.50.

Special Funds: All the requests from last month were approved.

Stewardship: Our Stewardship Program will be kicking off our theme for the year which is “A Listening Faith.”

Worship & Music: Need to schedule a meeting in the next few weeks.

OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update: Needs a few changes based on feedback from council review before being sent to the congregation for review. There are some new guidelines from the ELCA that we will review and incorporate as needed. New theme for the coming year, “A Listening Faith”: Book: The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 5, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

October 2025 Mustard Seed - A Word from Our Pastor

10/1/2025

Greeting Siblings in Christ,

On September 28, 2025, we begin a four-week stewardship program. This time of learning about stewardship will mark the beginning of a year-long theme entitled A Listening Faith, which will be a year of listening. Our focus this year will be to learn the sacred art of listening. So, throughout the year, we will be using resources made available through the Northwestern Ohio Synod to discuss what it means to “ Listen to God, Listen to Ourselves. Listening to Others, and to Listen to the Community.” During this time, we will briefly be introduced to these different types of listening that were mentioned above.
    This stewardship program serves as a reminder for us to stop and listen. It is a reminder for us that we are invited to listen, and this invitation comes from God. God’s invitation to listen is a gift that permeates the Scriptures. From the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). To the Psalms, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1). To the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). To the words the Exalted Jesus repeats to the seven churches in Revelation, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2-3). God longs for us to hear, so God invites us to listen.”
    However, what does listening have to do with stewardship? Well, in Isaiah 55, the prophet expands on this invitation from God saying “Incline your ear and come to me; listen, so that you may live…”(v. 3). Stewardship is how we live, especially within our context. Stewardship is our grateful response to God’s invitation for us to listen to ourselves, to the community, and most importantly to God so that we may learn how to live out our calling here in this world.
    When we listen, we are able to reflect on our callings and hear how we are called to respond to voices around us, for there is much that we can learn in many voices speaking to us. Thus, these voices speak to us and together with the word of God, we are more clearly able to hear, for God’s word makes all things known. For as Jesus said in Luke 8, in the Parable of the Lamp on a Stand:
“16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
    Thus, we listen and as we do so we learn to hear. Then, in our listening, we can respond authentically and gratefully with resources that God has given us and to live a life in Christ. So, let us use this time of listening as a time of discernment, as a time to reflect on what we are being called to do as God’s chosen and beloved stewards. May God's voice lead us and guide us in all that we do so that we may come to hear the voices of the world. In Jesus, the Word, we listen and pray, Amen.

                        Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan

October 2025 Mustard Seed - Announcements

10/1/2025

Stewardship Sunday Breakfast Church

On October 19, 2025, you are all invited to come and share a meal together here at Faith Lutheran! This meal will be in place of our regular 9:30 am Sunday worship service, and it will take place down in our fellowship hall. The start time for this gathering will remain at 9:30 am. This meal will serve as a time to gather in prayer and conversation to ponder together how Faith Lutheran is being called to be God’s stewards here on earth. During this time, we will participate in the sacred art of listening. We will listen to God, but we will also listen to each so that we may discern together how we are being called to participate in the Body of Christ. It is not a secret that Faith is not doing well financially. However, how can we use what we have to live authentically and faithfully in the life that Christ called us into? This question will not be fully answered in one meal. However, as people of faith, we are called into continual discernment. The world is changing. The Church is changing, and the future is uncertain. However the good news is Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). So, come and listen! There will be a sign up sheet on the table outside the sanctuary for those who would like to bring a dish to share for breakfast. If there are any questions, please reach out to Pastor Ethan. His email is [email protected]. All are welcome!

We will be having a Wawa Hoagie Sale on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The 6-inch hoagies are $7 and the 10-inch hoagies are $9. You will also be provided with a drink and a bag of chips. The order forms are on the table in the Foyer and on the last page of this Mustard Seed. Call the church if you’d like to order a hoagie and can’t get an order form.
Orders need to be in by Sunday, October 5, 2025.

The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction   By Adam S McHugh
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak." —James 1:19
“How would our lives change if we approached every experience with the intention of listening first?
    In this noisy, distracting world, it is difficult to truly hear. People talk past each other, eager to be heard but somehow deaf to what is being said. Listening is an essential skill for healthy relationships, both with God and with other people. But it is more than that: listening is a way of life.
    Adam McHugh places listening at the heart of our spirituality, our relationships and our mission in the world. God himself is the God who hears, and we too can learn to hear what God may be saying through creation, through Scripture, through people. By cultivating a posture of listening, we become more attentive and engaged with those around us. Listening shapes us and equips us to be more attuned to people in pain and more able to minister to those in distress.
    Our lives are qualitatively different—indeed, better—when we become listeners. Heed the call to the listening life, and hear what God is doing in you and the world.”
    Throughout the year, our congregations will be meeting monthly to discuss the book. Each month there will be two different sessions for one to pick from. In the month of October, we will be discussing the introduction and chapter one.
    The sessions made available for October will be;

October 1, 2025; in person/zoom at Faith Lutheran in adult education room; 6:00pm
October 12, 2025: in person at Jerusalem Lutheran, after worship at 12:30pm

   Participants are asked to purchase their own books. Amazon seems to be the cheapest. If you need help purchasing, please let Pastor Ethan know. More information will be sent out as we get closer, and information on future dates will be sent soon.

As we look forward to 2026 we need to start planning financially. The Preliminary Budget/Pledge Packets have been emailed to you and hard copies are available on the table right outside of the sanctuary. Included in the packet is a letter from your finance chair, Debbie Hollenbach, the Preliminary Budget for 2026, a Questionnaire/Comment Sheet, a Time and Talent Survey, and a Pledge Card for 2026. Please prayerfully consider your pledge and we will be collecting them on Commitment Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Greetings! Our Faith Education Dinner will be starting up again on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 5:30pm. This year we will be focusing more on the Bible and then bring in Lutheran theology and history where it naturally comes in. This dinner is geared toward teens and adults. However, activities will be provided for all ages. Come eat and learn!

Christian Radio keeps the faith going
     88.9 FM WORD -- Contemporary Christian Rock 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!

Understand the Bible in ten minutes a day with plans for every book and guides for every chapter.

Through the Word is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping people around the world to read the Bible, understand it, apply it, and make it a habit. They provide simple yet powerful tools via the web and mobile apps that lead users on a journey to understand the entire Bible, one chapter at a time. TTW combines clear, balanced, and relatable teaching with direct accessibility. Their purpose is God’s calling: to make disciples, equip the saints, and preach the word. (Mat. 28:19, Eph. 4:12, 2 Tim, 4:2)

TTW is the cure for broken Bible habits and lost-in-Leviticus syndrome. Easy to start, easy to keep, easy to share. Go to throughtheword.org or download the app on your phone.

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 October 1, 2025, this month.
For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich. All are welcome!

Sunday School: Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church new Sunday School hours will be at 9:30am during the worship service.
Our teachers are Gail Achilles, Anna Friedrich, Nancy Gansner & Kate Waldman
Classes are held during Worship Service in the Church’s Sunday School Room.
The children will leave worship service after the Pastor-led children’s sermon and return to worship service before the rite of Holy Communion.
Please call the Church office 215-368-0240 or email [email protected] to register your child for Sunday School.
Any questions or comments, contact Gail Achilles, Christian Education Chair.
We are looking forward in sharing Jesus’ love and word with your Child(ren).
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.

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Our Monday Night Bible Study group will be meeting on Zoom on Monday nights from 7-9pm. If you would like to grow in your relationship with Jesus and fortify your Faith in fellowship, please join us.   Here is the zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82697873852?pwd=I9NPiMekDaNswbF3BJe6xIMvJFmWKO.1
Meeting ID: 826 9787 3852      Passcode: 143104

Parents’ Night Out (PNO) – Youth Fellowship (YF)
Looking for a night out and a fun, safe place to bring the kids?
Well, look no further! We here at Faith Lutheran Church are ready to care for your child(ren) in a safe environment, provide food and fun activities, and share the love of Jesus.
The children will have dinner when they arrive consisting of pizza or chicken nuggets, grape and apple slices with caramel dip, water, 100% fruit juice, then enjoy music, games, crafts, stories, and end the evening with popcorn and a movie!
PNO-YF is held on a Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm. The schedule for 2025 is: Oct 24, Nov 21, Dec 12
If interested, please register at www.faithmontgomeryville.org and click on the PNO – YF tab or call 215-368-0240.

Note: A minimum donation of $5.00 per child is suggested so we can provide future youth events.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Email: [email protected]

Where the Word of Jesus is spoken, heard and lived!

* * * * * * *

Young Adult Fellowship for ages 12 to 17.
Looking for somewhere to learn about Jesus with others your age? Join us at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montgomeryville every third Sunday in 2025 from 6:00-7:30pm!

Expect to have fun while learning about the Word of God by joining in prayer, devotions and readings at the church. We will also have occasional outings around the area such as mini golf, bowling and more! Our adult support team will provide snacks and beverages during meetings. We hope to see you soon!

Where? Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 Cowpath Rd. Montgomeryville, PA 18036 (215) 368-0240
When? Third Sunday of the month from 6:00-7:30pm
Dates for 2025: Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 21.

Please don't hesitate to contact us at the number above, we hope to see you soon!

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.

Thanksgiving is just a month away! During the month of October, the Social Ministry Team will be collecting boxed Muffin or Bread Mixes to deliver to the ECC Food Cupboard in Hatfield in time for their Thanksgiving Baskets and other Holiday Shopping. Please place your boxes in the purple bin under the coat rack and they will be delivered to their warehouse in plenty of time to help out our neighbors and the community. Please contact Deb Hollenbach with any questions.

Update on the August Social Ministry Project:
Operation Kid to Kid 2025: The Warmth of God's Love
We collected money for World Vision to help struggling families get the basic necessities they need—like warm clothes and blankets. Their partnerships with clothing manufacturers allows them to multiply every dollar donated to make a true impact. A $5 donation can provide up to $70 in brand-new warm clothing and blankets! In August, we raised $324 which means we provided up to $4,536 in brand new warm clothing and blankets. Thank you VBS and Faith families!

“Noisy Can” Offering – We continue to collect change for God’s Global Barnyard, every third Sunday, which will be October 19, 2025, this month
A noisy coin offering is a worship service collection where members donate loose change to a specific cause. The collection is called "noisy" because the coins make a clanging sound as they are placed in the offering bucket.
    On the third Sunday of each month, you will be asked by our Sunday School children to donate your “loose change” in our collection can for God’s Global Barnyard. The more noise the better.    Of course, paper money is fine too.   This is our continuing Christian love to serve others.
    This collection will continue from January through November. In December, the Sunday School children will be asked what animals to purchase based on your total donations. A variety of animals helps provide ample nutrition and a sustainable source of income for many families.
    For January - July, God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection” has received a total of $459.50.
   In Christ,   Sharon Hood & Debbie Hollenbach, Co-Chairs

October 2025 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

10/1/2025

Council Notes September 3, 2025

Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the July council meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: At 66% of the 2025-year, our receipts are about 64% and our expenses are around 65%. Pledged member giving is at 64% and unpledged member giving is at 107%. The deficit for the month is $1,967 and our year-to-date deficit is $21, 056. The Treasurer’s Report from July was approved as written. Thrivent wants our annual financial report, so we need to check with our account rep to verify the legitimacy of this request. Our VBS CD matures next week so will renew with a 7-month CD. The other option is 13 months, which will be too long of a term.   A new payroll company is being investigated. Asking the Finance team to review the 3 options and give a recommendation so council can approve them at the October meeting and have it ready to change by end of this year

President’s Report: We had a great and successful VBS week. From what I know, Grace Lutheran in Hatfield continues to discern their future pastoral options. I have been asked and have agreed to be the co-chair of the SEPA Synod Transitional Ministry Development Team (TMDT.) My seminary education is going very well, and I have started my second full semester. My candidacy entrance interview is in November. Thank you to the congregation for the monetary support for my seminary education, it was greatly appreciated.

Pastor’s Report: I have led and presided at worship regularly throughout the month of August at Faith and Jerusalem. I continue to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain. Did VBS at both Faith and Jerusalem. Attended a multi-point pastoral meeting on sharing pastors between congregations. The Health Insurance plans from Portico are changing and we will need to select a new plan for 2026. I attended a Communication workshop and a Stewardship workshop. Upcoming Vacation: September 11-13: sister’s wedding in Milwaukee, WI; September 19-21: wedding in Colorado (Rich will be leading worship); November 23: brother is running the Philadelphia Marathon, and I want to support him. (Rich will be leading worship.)

Ministry Team Reports:

Christian Education: Sunday School: Starting Sunday, September 7, classes will return meeting in the Green Room using Whirl Bible Lectionary Series. Our rotating teachers this school year will be Anna Friedrich, Nancy Gansner, Kate Waldman, and Gail Achilles. Due to half our class being away on September 7, Rally Day has been changed to Sunday, September 14. On September 14, our youth will be presenting a short presentation during 9:30 am Worship Service on the Fruit of the Spirit which they learned over the summer months.   All are invited to enjoy the ice cream bar during coffee hour.
Young Adult Group - This month’s meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. (Note: due to summer vacations, the August 17 meeting was cancelled). Our Youth Group lesson will be “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) along with fun games and activities, chosen by our youth.
Parents’ Night Out – Youth Fellowship (PNO-YF): We will be meeting Friday September 19 from 6 pm to 9 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Our theme is “Shine the Light of Jesus” using fun “Space” activities.
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our small group will resume on Monday September 8 via of zoom from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. We will discern which study we will move forward with at this first meeting. So bring your suggestions please. Anyone interested in joining, contact Gail Achilles at email [email protected] or cell 267-664-3328, or just pop in on us anytime on the zoom link. All are welcome.

Communications: Check out the new saying on our front sign. Thanks John Taylor!

Finance: The Finance Team will be meeting on 9/18 to start the 2026 budget work.

Hospitality: Working on the new schedule. Need to start planning for the event on Oct 19th.

Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project.

Mutual Ministry: Will be meeting with the staff in the next few weeks.

Property Team: Our alarm system passed its inspection and subsequently received fire department approval.

Social Ministry: Social Ministry Project for September: 141 Impact/Impact One for One – Uganda. Social Ministry Project for the year 2025: for January – July, God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection” has received a total of $353.

Special Funds: Requests: $50 fee to fix Pastor’s W-2 tax form; $136 for the flowers sent by the church for Pastor Joyce Nelson’s funeral; $380 for Admin Assistant’s (Janet) laptop replacement. Council unanimously approved these requests, and they will be sent to Special Funds.

Stewardship: Our Stewardship Program will be kicking off our theme for the year which is “A Listening Faith.”

Worship & Music: Substitute Organist, Pat Keen, will be away on Sept 14th. Pastor Ethan is away Sept 21st so Rich will be leading worship. Need to schedule a meeting in the next few weeks.

OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update – There are some new guidelines from the ELCA that will be reviewed and incorporated as needed into our draft constitution.
New Theme for the coming year, “A Listening Faith.” Book: The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh.

NEW BUSINESS Reminder, that if you have volunteered or signed up for a role for our worship services or other functions, please let Pastor Ethan or a council member know ahead of time if something comes up and you can’t be at church to do the role. It takes a lot of coordination each week for our worship services, and it complicates matters if we must scramble to find replacements that day.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

September 2025 Mustard Seed - A Word from Our Pastor

8/30/2025

In May, representatives from the 146 congregations from across the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of ELCA met at Trinity Lutheran Church Lansdale for its annual synod assembly. This year the theme of the synod assembly was Ponder Anew. This theme was inspired by a verse from the hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (ELW 858): “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriends you.” Throughout the synod assembly, the assembly explored how God was calling us to renew our faith, embrace transformation, and reimagine the ways we engage in ministry. The assembly talked about what it means to welcome change and how to think differently about sharing the gospel with new generations. At the synod assembly, Bishop Bryan Penman addressed the assembly reflecting on these questions. He expressed that to “ponder anew is a holy invitation to ask what it is that God is doing right now” and that in this pondering we are to ask “what the Almighty can do through us to transform the world.” Bishop Penman then highlighted that one of the ways we can ponder anew is by listening. He proclaimed to the assembly that “listening is the new evangelism.”

And so, this program year, our theme will be entitled A Listening Faith, and it will be a year of listening. Our focus this year will be to learn the sacred art of listening. So, throughout the year, we will be using resources made available through the Northwestern Ohio Synod to discuss what it means to “ Listen to God, Listen to Ourselves, Listen to Others, and to Listen to the Community.” We will start this year-long theme with a time of stewardship starting on September 28, 2025, and ending on October 19, 2025. On October 19, 2025, we will be having the first of four discernment events that will be happening throughout the year. October 19, 2025, is a Sunday, and instead of regular worship we will be having a breakfast church down in the fellowship hall. During this time, we will “listen to ourselves” and ask ourselves as a congregation and as stewards of God’s good creation what God is stirring and dreaming within us. More information about this will be coming soon. Throughout the year, there will also be different book studies and bible studies made available. More information will be shared about those offerings at a later time.

“In Isaiah 55, the prophet invites God’s people to listen: “Incline your ear and come to me; listen, so that you may live…” (Isaiah 55:3a). Isaiah extends this invitation to a people who are living in Exile. This is a people living without hope. But even to those suffering in a far-away land, Isaiah offers the promise of hope and restoration. God invites the exiles to “Come to the waters... Come to the banquet… Come to me… and listen, so that you may live…” God’s invitation to listen is a gift that permeates the Scriptures. From the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). To the Psalms, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1). To the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). To the words the Exalted Jesus repeats to the seven churches in Revelation, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2-3). God longs for us to hear, so God invites us to listen” (Northwestern Ohio Synod). So, let us use this time of listening as a time of discernment, as a time to reflect on what we are being called to, and as a time to be open to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan

September Mustard Seed - Announcements

8/30/2025

Christian Radio keeps the faith going
     88.9 FM WORD -- Contemporary Christian Rock 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!

The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction
By Adam S McHugh
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak." —James 1:19
“How would our lives change if we approached every experience with the intention of listening first?
In this noisy, distracting world, it is difficult to truly hear. People talk past each other, eager to be heard but somehow deaf to what is being said. Listening is an essential skill for healthy relationships, both with God and with other people. But it is more than that: listening is a way of life.
Adam McHugh places listening at the heart of our spirituality, our relationships and our mission in the world. God himself is the God who hears, and we too can learn to hear what God may be saying through creation, through Scripture, through people. By cultivating a posture of listening, we become more attentive and engaged with those around us. Listening shapes us and equips us to be more attuned to people in pain and more able to minister to those in distress.
Our lives are qualitatively different—indeed, better—when we become listeners. Heed the call to the listening life, and hear what God is doing in you and the world.”
Throughout the year, our congregations will be meeting monthly to discuss the book. Each month there will be two different sessions for one to pick from. In the month of October, we will be discussing the introduction and chapter one. The sessions made available for October will be;
October 1, 2025; in person/zoom at Faith Lutheran in adult education room; 6:00pm

October 12, 2025: in person at Jerusalem Lutheran, after worship at 12:30pm

Participants are asked to purchase their own books. Amazon seems to be the cheapest. If you need help purchasing, please let Pastor Ethan know. More information will be sent out as we get closer, and information on future dates will be sent soon.

Joyce Nelson
August 7, 1948 – August 16, 2025
On August 16, 2025, Pastor Joyce Elizabeth Nelson left her life in Summerville, South Carolina, to be welcomed into the arms of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Joyce died peacefully in the presence of Daryl, her loving husband for almost 55 years. In the year preceding her death, Joyce fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
From 1990 to 2018 Joyce was the pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. During those years Joyce helped to shape the congregation's identity as the church "where the name of Jesus is spoken." She elevated Christian music as an expression of both joy and testimony believing as Martin Luther did that "music was the living voice of the gospel, a gift from God to be used in all its fullness in Christian praise and prayer." In addition to the usual tasks of pastoral ministry Joyce was a promoter of diverse worship experiences and was an enthusiastic teacher of the Bible. Together with many committed lay learners Joyce explored the scriptures from Genesis through Revelation. As a supplement to her Bible teaching Joyce led tours to Israel to further understand the land of the Bible which is sometimes described as "The Fifth Gospel."
After her retirement and in late 2022 Joyce and Daryl left Pennsylvania for Summerville, South Carolina to be close to their daughter Carrie and her family. Through much of her adult life Joyce was an ardent gardener, an avid reader of mysteries and a traveler with Daryl both in and out of the United States. When grandchildren arrived Joyce eagerly followed their lives and engaged with them and their interests.
Joyce will be deeply missed by her family and friends, her former parishioners, and by her loving neighbors in Summerville.

You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

In God, whose word I praise--
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4

For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4

Exciting event for us to share with each other!
   You’re invited Sunday, September 21, at 1 pm, to see Sight & Sounds’ movie of “Noah” playing at the Broad Street Theatre in Souderton.   Cost is $8.
   We could also share lunch at the Broad Street Grille connected to the theatre.   If we leave immediately after church, we can carpool, eat lunch and get to the movie on time.
   A sign up sheet will be in the foyer for you to indicate you’re joining us for just the movie or movie and lunch.
   Payment of the $8 by cash or check (made out to “Sharon Hood”) is due to Sharon Hood once you sign up.   This can be given to Janet or put in my slot in the hallway.
   Great opportunity to share time together!
          Sharon Hood


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 on the first Wednesday this month which will be September 3, 2025.
For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich. All are welcome!

Please keep the stamps coming!
It’s a continuing need! Thank you for all your contributions. It really helps!

Vacation Bible School 2025 (True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World): At “True North VBS: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World” our children learned that when we wonder, or feel alone, or feel powerless, or need hope, or need help, we can trust Jesus! There were 18 children and 26 volunteers at VBS this year. Thank you to all of the volunteers, who shared the love of Jesus and were awesome. Thank you to the children who attended, and their parents and caregivers. Much positive feedback was received from volunteers, parents, and children.
We raised $148 during the week for World Vision’s mission effort to be able to supply, with our donations, warm winter clothing/blankets for those in need in America..

On September 8th the Monday Night Bible Study group will start this year by meeting in-person at the church from 6-9pm. All are welcome to join, please contact Gail Achilles if interested.

You are invited to Rally Day
at Faith Lutheran Church
We will kickstart our Christian education Program at the 9:30 am Worship service on
Sunday, September 7
Followed by an Ice Cream Bar in the Fellowship Hall
Our 2024/25 Christian Education program for ages 3 to 11 will begin on Rally Day Sunday, September 7

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.

Parents’ Night Out (PNO) – Youth Fellowship (YF)
Looking for a night out and a fun, safe place to bring the kids?
Well, look no further! We here at Faith Lutheran Church are ready to care for your child(ren) in a safe environment, provide food and fun activities, and share the love of Jesus.
The children will have dinner when they arrive consisting of pizza or chicken nuggets, grape and apple slices with caramel dip, water, 100% fruit juice, then enjoy music, games, crafts, stories, and end the evening with popcorn and a movie!

PNO-YF is held on a Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm. The schedule for 2025 is: Sep 19, Oct 24, Nov 21, Dec 12
If interested, please register at www.faithmontgomeryville.org and click on the PNO – YF tab or call 215-368-0240.
Note: A minimum donation of $5.00 per child is suggested so we can provide future youth events.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Where the Word of Jesus is spoken, heard and lived!
Young Adult Fellowship for ages 12 to 17. For our September meeting, we are looking at Sunday, September 21 6-7:30pm (1440 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA 19446) where we will play mini golf, have an ice cream treat, and fun fellowship in the presence of Jesus.  (Please be prepared to pay for the golf fee of $7.50, and the church youth ministry will pay for the ice cream.) Let us know by contacting Gail Achilles at [email protected] including those on the Adult Support team for a count to get a group discount no later than Monday, September 9, if you wish to partake in this enjoyable outing. Also, inform us if you will be bringing extra friends within the age bracket; they are most welcome.  Pick up time will be around 4 pm.

As we look forward to 2025, we need to start planning financially. The Preliminary Budget/Pledge Packets will be available for the congregation on Sunday, September 28, 2025, either by email or hard copy on the table right outside of the sanctuary. Included will be a letter from your finance chair, Debbie Hollenbach, the Preliminary Budget for 2026, a Time and Talent Survey and a Pledge Card for 2026. Please prayerfully consider your pledge and we will be collecting them on Commitment Sunday, October 19, 2025.
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 Project for September 2025
141 IMPACT/IMPACT ONE FOR ONE - UGANDA
Your Social Ministry team is asking you to support Claire so she can study at the Uganda School for the Deaf. She is 14 years old. When she was three, she contracted measles which caused her to lose her hearing. She can hear some faint sounds from one ear but is largely deaf. She was unable to go to school in the village because of her disability. She was enrolled in the Child Development Program last fall and underwent testing and medical screening to determine the best specialty school. One of the volunteers is teaching her basic sign language. She is a delightful young lady with a bubbly personality. Once she has learned Ugandan sign language, she will learn a trade; likely hairdressing or tailoring.   This was shared by Amy Karpus, Chief Operating Officer at 141 Impact. She is our contact person.
Our goal is $300. Not so much when it is the future of such a young life.
141 Impact is humbled and honored by our continued support! Please pray for this young girl and 141 Impact.
“If every ONE just helped ONE, imagine the IMPACT we could have on the world. Imagine what ONE FOR ONE (141) can do. It’s time for each of us to be ONE.”
In the recent passing of our very dear, former pastor, Pastor Joyce Nelson, we would like to make our donations to 141 Impact in her memory. Her daughter, Carrie Brown, is part of 141 Impact and the reason we started our support. It is a cause near and dear to their hearts.

*******

Update on the June/July Social Ministry Project:
Thank you so much for your generous donations of 265 personal care items for veterans in Coatesville VA Medical Center system!
Thank you, Nancy Gansner, for leading this project.

*******

“Noisy Can” Offering – We continue to collect change for God’s Global Barnyard, every third Sunday,
which will be September 21, 2025, this month
A noisy coin offering is a worship service collection where members donate loose change to a specific cause. The collection is called "noisy" because the coins make a clanging sound as they are placed in the offering bucket.
    On the third Sunday of each month, you will be asked by our Sunday School children to donate your “loose change” in our collection can for God’s Global Barnyard. The more noise the better.    Of course, paper money is fine too.   This is our continuing Christian love to serve others.
    This collection will continue from January through November. In December, the Sunday School children will be asked what animals to purchase based on your total donations. A variety of animals helps provide ample nutrition and a sustainable source of income for many families.
    For January - July, God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection” has received a total of $384.50 ($50 was collected in July).
   In Christ,   Sharon Hood & Debbie Hollenbach, Co-Chairs

“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

September Mustard Seed - Council Notes

8/30/2025

Council Notes July 30,2025

Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach. Council Minutes of the June regular council meeting were approved as written. The Treasurer’s Report from June and the preliminary report from July were approved as written. At 58% of the 2025-year, our receipts are at 59% and our expenses are around 58%. Pledged member giving is at 58% and unpledged member giving is at 67%. The deficit for the month is $6,589.31 and the year to date budget deficit is $19,089.58.

President’s Report: We have VBS coming up on Monday and it should be a great week to share the gospel with our children.
There haven’t been any further discussions with Grace in Hatfield as they continue to figure out their plan to call a new pastor.
Rich’s seminary education continues, and his candidacy is progressing. Rich will be away for two weeks in August taking Greek at the Gettysburg campus.
Pastor Ethan and Rich met to discuss ideas of what we should focus on this coming year. A few ideas were discussed and will be finalized on “Listening” as our focus. It takes a lot of planning and work by Rich to handle the music and Zoom recordings.

Pastor’s Report: Pastor Ethan has led and presided at worship regularly at Faith and Jerusalem. He continues to do shifts at the Lansdale Hospital as the Volunteer Protestant Chaplain. He has been regularly volunteering at Mitzvah Circle and has now officially been on-boarded to volunteer at Manna on Main Street.
He has met with Pastor Karen Sease to update her on Grace/Faith partnership conversation. We also broadly talked about the overall future of Faith. He met with Pastor Bradley Gow (Head of the SEPA Vitality team) on July 3, 2025. We discussed vitality and talked about the importance of shared ministry. Jerusalem and Faith are one of a handful of partnerships within our synod. So, he wanted to learn more about our partnership.
Rich (as president and head of the WM team) and I met on July 23, 2025, to discuss a broad plan for the year. Our theme for the year will be “A Listening Faith”. There will be Bible study and Book study throughout the year. More info will be coming soon.
Upcoming Vacation: September 11-13th: Sister’s wedding in Milwaukee, WI; September 19-21st: wedding in Colorado. Rich or supply pastor will be leading worship; November 23, 2025: Brother is running the Philadelphia Marathon, and I want to support him. Rich or supply pastor will be leading worship.

Ministry Team Reports:

Christian Education: Vacation Bible School: True North, Trusting Jesus in a Wild World is scheduled for August 4 through 8, 9 am – 12 noon. Thank you so much to all the volunteers for sharing their time and Jesus’ love for this spiritual growth event for our children, and we appreciate our congregational members for all their food donations. God Bless Everyone! There will be a special dedication for our volunteers on August 3 during 9:30 am worship service.
Parent Night Out/Youth Fellowship (PNO/YF): We will not be meeting in August for this age group due to Vacation Bible School and summer vacations; our next event will be on Friday September 19 from 6 pm to 9 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Young Adult Group (ages 12 to 17): Our July 20 meeting was cancelled due to illness and summer vacations. Our next meeting scheduled for Sunday August 17 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, will be in the Fellowship Hall and outdoors for some fun activities like kickball led by Bryan Foster. Our Youth Group lesson will be “Fruits of the Holy Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Sunday School: Through August 31, 2025, Sunday School will be during Worship Service as usual in the Fellowship Hall. Rotating teachers are Kate Waldman, Anna Friedrich, and Gail Achilles. On September 7, our classes will be back in the Sunday school room, and we will be using the Sparkhouse Whirl Bible Lectionary Series curriculum. September 7 is also Rally Day; the children will present a short presentation on the fruits of the Spirit which they learned over the summer months at 9:30 am Worship Service. We also invite everyone to enjoy the ice cream bar during coffee hour.
Monday Night Bible Study (MNBS): Our small group will resume on Monday September 8 via of zoom from 7 pm to 9 pm. The zoom link is printed in the weekly bulletin and the Mustard Seed. We will discern which study we will move forward with at this first meeting. So, bring your suggestions please. Anyone interested in joining, contact Gail Achilles or just pop in on us anytime on the zoom link. All are welcome.
Communication:  Vacation Bible School banner is posted out front of church; the front sign is changed monthly.
Hospitality: Coffee hour—8/3 coffee light; 8/10 VBS leftovers; 8/17 coffee light; 8/24 Finance and Stewardship; 8/31 coffee lite.
Long-Range Planning: Coordination with the Nourishing Vocation Project. Scheduling a meeting.
Property Team: Abandoned car in parking lot: There was a car that was abandoned in the back of the church’s parking lot.   The police told us to just call a towing company and have it removed. 5 points automotive was called and they removed it on 7/29/25.
Potholes: A letter was found in the church archives pertaining to Morgan Street. It was from a lawyer in 1978 that asked that the church transfer ownership of Morgan Street to the township. That letter was brought to Montgomeryville planning and zoning. They informed us that the lawyer was the township lawyer, but they had no record of this happening. They said they would investigate it and give us a call. They most likely won't end up finding anything. So, we plan to patch the potholes as soon as the weather cooperates.
Social Ministry: Social Ministry Project for June/July: Collecting Personal Care Items and a few miscellaneous items for the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Collection totals are not available yet. We will support Vacation Bible School’s Project which is World Vision Operation Kid to Kid will be able to supply, with our donations, warm winter clothing/blankets for those in need in America. Social Ministry Project for the year 2025: For January - July, God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection” has received a total of $353. $50.00 was collected in July.
Special Funds: $50 fee to fix Pastor’s W-2 tax form.
Stewardship: Our Stewardship Program will be kicking off our theme for the year which is “A Listening Faith.”
Worship & Music: Substitute Organist, Pat Keen will be off for a few weeks and resumes later in August. To keep within our budget, we need to have 5 more services this year without her playing the organ.

OLD BUSINESS Constitution Update: Needs a few changes based on feedback from council review before being sent to the congregation for review. Will need to wait until after the Churchwide Assembly in July to see if there are any additional changes / updates needed.

NEW BUSINESS 2024 Clarence has requested to resign from council due to his on-going health issues. Council accepted Clarence’s resignation and will not fill it.
    New theme for the coming year, “A Listening Faith.” There was talk of having a conversation/hymn breakfast in the Fellowship Hall for Worship Service, October 19, 9:30 am.   More details forthcoming. Council is endorsing this new theme for the coming year.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

August 2025 Mustard Seed - A Word from Our Pastor

8/2/2025

Greetings siblings in Christ,

Recently, I went with a friend and saw the newest Superman film. I have never been the biggest DC comic fan. I was expecting the film to be gloomy and dark. This has been the tone of the more recent DC film/tv adaptations since director Zach Snyder rebooted DC as the DC Extended universes back in 2013 with the release of the Man of Steel. Thus, I was not expecting much when I sat down in the theater to watch Jame Gunn’s Superman. I assumed that I would see the same dark gritty tone, with a plot full of dark and mature themes. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case. Instead James Gunn’s adaptation was a classic tale of good vs evil. The message of the film was simple, and that message was that all people should be treated with dignity and that perhaps kindness is the greatest superpower. Across the internet, many people have labeled this film as being “hopecore,” meaning that it is an uplifting and feel-good content that inspires positivity and hope. And so, for many, this film has stood as a reminder that one can find hope in this world even when sometimes it feels like it is falling apart around us. In the film, Superman himself learns to find hope in the world around him in ordinary human interactions. He learns that being human and growing in his mistakes is his greatest strength.
And so, all he can do is try his best to make good choices and to be kind to others, bringing hope and inspiration to all those around him.

This is a lesson that we too as Christians can find in the “hopecore” that is our Scripture. The Bible is one long story of hope. The Bible’s overarching story is that of God’s faithfulness to God’s people. Even in the midst of our human sinfulness, God never gives up on God’s people. God instead promises to be with the people, and this promise reaches its fullness in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, our hope comes from our Lord, who in his resurrection invites us into new life, and in this new life is a hope for a better future where peace and love prevail. A future where all live together in the kingdom of God. However, until then, we are called to live in this hope, and to work towards this reality. We do this by spreading this hope to the world, by living a life of Christ. One way that we can do this is by being kind to others. Jesus himself calls us to do this! In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, we learn what it means to be a neighbor, and that is to love our others as we love ourselves. Jesus illustrates this with a parable where a Samaritan is the only person to stop and show compassion to a stranger who has been robbed, beaten, and left alongside the roads. Jesus then tells the law expert who promoted this parable with his question to “Go and do likewise.” So too are we to go and do likewise. Thus, Jesus reminds us that our greatest superpower is kindness and compassion. And so, like Superman, all we can do is try our best to make good choices and to be kind to others, so that we may bring hope and inspiration to all those around us. So, there is indeed hope in this world, and may we all share and live in it together. In the name of Jesus, our strength and our hope, we pray, amen.

Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan

August 2025 Mustard Seed - Announcements

8/2/2025

Vacation Bible School:  Explore mountains of fun

True North: Trusting in Jesus in a Wild World

New friends ~ Amazing experiments ~ Creative games
Super-fun snacks ~ Surprising adventures ~
Incredible music

Location: Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
Save these dates: August 4th – 8th, 2025
Each day’s fun happens from: 9:00am - noon
For more information, visit: www.faithmontgomeryville.org
Register online here: www.faithmontgomeryville.org


FaithNotes...

Christian Radio keeps the faith going
     88.9 FM WORD -- Contemporary Christian Rock 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!

Understand the Bible in ten minutes a day with plans for every book and guides for every chapter.

Through the Word is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping people around the world to read the Bible, understand it, apply it, and make it a habit. They provide simple yet powerful tools via the web and mobile apps that lead users on a journey to understand the entire Bible, one chapter at a time. TTW combines clear, balanced, and relatable teaching with direct accessibility. Their purpose is God’s calling: to make disciples, equip the saints, and preach the word. (Mat. 28:19, Eph. 4:12, 2 Tim, 4:2)

TTW is the cure for broken Bible habits and lost-in-Leviticus syndrome. Easy to start, easy to keep, easy to share. Go to throughtheword.org or download the app on your phone.

Please keep the stamps coming!
It’s a continuing need! Thank you for all your contributions. It really helps!

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 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.

Clothing Container Fundraising Program
Church Family, we now have a clothing donation box behind the church. It is located near the driveway to the Pine Tree Ridge development. The church will receive $50 per month for having the bin there. So please clean out your closets and fill up the bin…and tell your friends and family about it too. Thank you!
    Help your community place their unwanted/gently used clothing, shoes, apparel & linens in our clothing collection containers. This saves our landfills and gives back to low-income families in need!   In return, this program raises funds for local non-profits and organizations in our communities. Currently, they help raise funds for the American Cancer Fund, Rotary International, Eden Autism, and many other local non-profits.
    They do not accept: Any merchandise that has holes, rips, stains, mold or has an odor and is wet.
https://clothingshoedrive.com/clothingcontainers/


CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Gail Achilles, Anna Friedrich and Kate Waldman will be available on a rotating schedule each Sunday throughout the Summer (June 8 thru August 31) during 9:30 am Worship Service - same length of time as our traditional Sunday school. We will plan to do an activity/lesson with the children in our Fellowship Hall. We will resume traditional Sunday School on “Rally Day” September 7, 2025, during 9:30 am Worship Service after Children’s sermon and return for the rite of Holy Communion. Parents, grandparents and guardians, thank you for glorifying our God by bringing your children to learn His Word and His Good Works. (Note: Older youth ages 12 to 17 are welcome to serve as Youth Volunteers at Sunday School.)

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 Bible Study will be taking a break for the summer months and resume their next study (to be determined) on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7 pm on zoom.

“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)

Parents’ Night Out (PNO) – Youth Fellowship (YF) will not be held in August. Look for it again on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Our Vacation Bible School theme this year will be “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World” As kids trek the tundra, they’ll discover how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. Guiding them towards Jesus, True North VBS reveals that He is a faithful friend we can always trust. He’s our True North! Gail Achilles, our coordinator, is enthusiastically looking forward to this adventure. The dates for this year are Monday through Friday, August 4-8, 2025, from 9am to 12noon.
    Please contact Gail or the church office to volunteer to help. Thank you, Church Family!

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)

The “Golden Girls of Faith” (Golden Men are welcome too!) which usually meet once a month for lunch, fellowship and prayer at a local restaurant will be taking a break for the months of July and August. They will meet again on the first Wednesday of September which will be September 3, 2025. For more information or if you need a ride, please talk to Anna Friedrich. All are welcome!
Vacation Bible School is August 4-8, 2025
The theme is: “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World”

If you aren’t able to volunteer during the week of Vacation Bible School, you may be able to help by donating some of the food for snacks each day or the luncheon on Friday.

We are looking for the following food:

Need by August 3rd
2 Bottles Ranch Dressing
2 Jars Cheese Wiz
1 Large Bag of Pretzels Sticks
1 Large or 2 Small Celery Stalks
2 Bags of Baby Carrots
1 Bag Chocolate
2 Boxes Vanilla Wafers/Nilla Wafers
1 Large count of Animal Crackers
3 Squeezable Chocolate Tubes (baking aisle)
2 Containers Chocolate Icing
2 Boxes Graham Crackers
20 Juice Bottles
9 Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (5.1oz size)
2 Gallons of 2% Milk

Need by Thursday, August 7th
100 Hot Dogs                           6 Peppers
100 Hot Dog Rolls                     4 Cucumbers
4 lbs Potato Salad                    1 large Watermelon
2 Large Bags of Chips              2 Cantaloupes
96 Deviled Eggs                        2 packs Grapes
2 Celery Stalks                        100 Baked Sugar Cookies
2 Bags Baby Carrots

There’s a sign-up for these items on the table outside of the sanctuary.


Youth Ministry
(ages 12-17)

Looking for somewhere to learn about Jesus with others your age? Join us at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montgomeryville every third Sunday in 2024-25 from 6:00-7:30pm! We will be meeting this month on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

Expect to have fun while learning about the Word of God by joining in prayer, devotions and readings at the church. We will also have occasional outings around the area such as mini golf, bowling and more! Our adult support team will provide snacks and beverages during meetings. We hope to see you soon!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Check out the can in the Fellowship Hall to recycle aluminum cans. Not only does it help the environment, but it will generate some cash for the church. Beth Schoening has volunteered to empty the can periodically and take the cans to the recycling center. So, if you have any aluminum cans at home, please bring them in and it will help the earth and Faith Church! Thank you! (Make sure they are aluminum though…if a magnet does not attach to it, it’s aluminum.)

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/VBS Project: Operation Kid to Kid 2025: The Warmth of God's Love - Kids Helping Kids

During sun-soaked summer days of VBS, it’s easy to keep chilly fall and winter temperatures out of mind. But frosty fingers and toes are a reality for millions of kids in North America. As families struggle to make ends meet, poverty in the United States impacts countless kids—many of whom may be right in your community.
World Vision estimates that more than one in six children in the United States lives in poverty. These are kids who pull on threadbare jackets to face wintry weather. They shiver at the school bus stop and sit through class in wet shoes. Some may lack a thick, cozy blanket to sleep under at night.
But we can change that!
World Vision works tirelessly to help struggling families get the basic necessities they need—like warm clothes and blankets. Their partnerships with clothing manufacturers allows them to multiply every dollar donated to make a true impact.
A $5 donation can provide up to $70 in brand-new warm clothing and blankets! That means kids can bundle up when the thermometer plummets. They’ll enjoy school days with warm fingers and cozy toes! And kids can sleep soundly, wrapped in a snug blanket.
Because Operation Kid-to-Kid™ is part of Group VBS, we have the opportunity to bless countless families in North America, helping them feel the warmth of God’s love through the generosity of other kids.
Faith Church collected money for this worthwhile cause during the week of Vacation Bible School. We will continue collecting funds for the month of August. Look for a container in the Foyer to drop your donation or see Janet in the church office. Thank you for your support!

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.

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)

“Noisy Can” Offering – We continue to collect change for God’s Global Barnyard, every third Sunday,
which will be August 17, 2025, this month
A noisy coin offering is a worship service collection where members donate loose change to a specific cause. The collection is called "noisy" because the coins make a clanging sound as they are placed in the offering bucket.
    On the third Sunday of each month, you will be asked by our Sunday School children to donate your “loose change” in our collection can for God’s Global Barnyard. The more noise the better.    Of course, paper money is fine too.   This is our continuing Christian love to serve others.
    This collection will continue from January through November. In December, the Sunday School children will be asked what animals to purchase based on your total donations. A variety of animals helps provide ample nutrition and a sustainable source of income for many families.
    For January - May, God’s Global Barnyard “noisy coin collection” has received a total of $303.00 ($72.50 was collected in May).

      In Christ,   Sharon Hood & Debbie Hollenbach, Co-Chairs

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

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 (NIV)

“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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