JANUARY Greetings from the Pastor
HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING
On November 22nd, we pause from our fast-paced lives and take a day off of work and school to celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving. This day certainly has become a special day as families gather together to celebrate all the many blessings we have received from God. Of course, it was set at the end of the harvest season to thank God for all the beautiful crops that have been gleaned from the fields. Here, in paradise, we might be more interested in thanking God that November has come so the dew points might be lower and even more importantly, the hurricane season comes to an end for another year. Yes, we need to pause for thanksgiving to God, but sometimes, we feel we might need to be thanked for what we are and do for family or for church or for others in our lives.
Jesus story in Luke 17th was a poignant example to me when I think I deserve thanks for, well, what Im supposed to be doing. Jesus compares us as Christians to slaves of the master, and as slaves of Jesus, we do what we do as Christians because that is what we do. Jesus says in Luke 17:9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, we have only done what we ought to have done!
After receiving a significant gift from one our members in response to our insurance CRISIS OR OPPORTUNITY situation, I saw them, went up to them and personally thanked them for their generosity, and their response was very close to this quote from Jesus, we have done only what we ought to have done or what we could do at this time. This is a true understanding of what thanksgiving means and what we should remember as we celebrate this wonderful holiday with family and friends. Thank you JESUS for our many blessings, and may we continue to do what we ought in Jesus name.
CRISIS, BLESSING AND OPPORTUNITY
In the October newsletter I wrote these words: I continue to marvel over the grace of God that has come forth from you as members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church. Several of you have given large gifts to God over the last few weeks to offset our quarterly $9,700 insurance bill. All glory be to God and thanks be to God for you. Of course, the same payment will be due in December, so we continue to need to see this as an opportunity to come together in what we might call an insurance crisis. Our church leadership continues to work with this situation. Thank you again for your great generosity.
Your generosity has truly been a blessing and opportunity as you have responded to this insurance crisis. Our offerings (white envelopes, debt reduction, and loose offerings) totaled $35,262 for September compared to a figure of $18,228 for September 06. WOW-ALL GLORY BE TO GOD.
STEWARDSHIP MONTH: In the light of the above comments, we again move into time of remembering our many blessings and responding to God as we ought to do with our gifts of time, talents and our treasure. You will be receiving a personal letter from me in the near future with a financial pledge card and a time-and-talent sheet. On Sunday, November 18th, our emphasis will be on responding to Gods many blessings, and on Sunday, November 25th, we will bring our pledges and sheets forth to God for a special prayer of blessings. We are blessed to be a blessing.
NEW MEMBER CLASS AND SUNDAY
The next series of class begins at 9:30am on Sunday, Nov.11th, with next new member Sunday on December 16th. All are invited.
VACATION
Usually, Lynn and I fly to Minnesota to share thanksgiving with our families, but this year we have a family wedding in Tampa during the weekend of November 3rd. So most of our family (grandchildren Elijah and Naamah especially) are flying in on October 30 for the weekend, so I will take Sunday Nov. 4th as a vacation Sunday to be with them in Tampa. Our intern David will lead us in worship on November 4th-ALL SAINTS SUNDAY. We will remember our loved ones with candles on that Sunday Nov. 4th. CONGRATULATIONS to our two first communion students - Vince Trosterud and Jeremy Smith.
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel of God
the love of Jesus which we know though the power of the Holy Spirit.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
We will have an ecumenical thanksgiving service here at Faith on November 20th at 7pm. You are invited to bring your friends and neighbors as we give thanks to God for our many, many blessings. The Sanctuary Choir will be joined by the Lehigh Singers leading us in song. Please bring one canned good for the Pantry.
Pr Doug
TREASURERS REPORT SEPTEMBER 2007
Month Year to Date
Revenues $ 64,951 $ 436,867
Expense $(58,321) $(442,017)
Net $ 6,630 $ (5,150)
WITHIN THE FOLD
ALTAR GUILD
Sheila Rogers & Jo Anne Borkert
FLOWERS
11/25 Jim & Ginny Wollerman
GREETERS
11/04 Micki Shaw & Peggy Fjelsted
11/11 Harry Ludwig & Pat Grotsky
11/18 Bill & Vicki Hawkins
10/28 Bob & Doris Bollenbach
USHERS
8:30am 11/4-Larry & Frances Vandivier
11/11-Greg & Loretta Menuez
11/18-Mickie Shaw & Diane Brownrigg
11/25-Pat Shapter & Diane Brownrigg
10:30am Doug Patterson, Lois Duff, Tom & Carole Schroeder and Bob & Lucille Keck, Tom Vonderhaar, Artelle Gordon
ACOLYTES
11/4 8:30amRobert Iglesias
10:30amJanelle & Lea Harvey
11/11 8:30amRobert Iglesias & Jeremy Smith
10:30amJake Zander & Vinny Trosterud
11/18 8:30amLindsay Conwell
10:30amJake Zander & Thoran Fjelsted
11/25 8:30amRobert Iglesias
10:30amChelsea Dzurinko & Adrianna Fjelsted
Happy Birthday and Gods Blessing to:
Gregory Menuez 11/01
Connie Wattenmaker 11/01
Gary Lohr 11/02
Sidney Fjelsted 11/03
Dustin Bawor 11/04
Jarod Scofield 11/04
Lili Logsdon 11/04
Julie Yennerell 11/05
Kelly Shelor 11/07
Stephanie Waigand 11/08
Dorothy Nelson 11/10
Stacey Hewitt 11/11
Ferne Warner 11/12
Charles Goehle 11/13
Betty Wilson 11/13
Debra Bruno 11/14
Jeremy Rhodes 11/14
Macy Shaw 11/15
Cecil Thomas 11/16
Daniel Yennerell 11/18
Mary Williams 11/19
Doris Bollenbach 11/19
Tanya Kantenwein11/19
Carol Varner 11/21
Lynn Wahlberg 11/22
Elwood Griffith 11/24
Lisa Scofield 11/24
Teresa Davis 11/24
Trissan Brumley 11/24
Nancy Eng 11/25
Herman Williams 11/27
Hallie Grieve 11/29
Joan Sozzi 11/29
Sam Sokhanvari 11/29
Kayla Graves 11/30
Matthew Cava 11/30
Happy Anniversary & Gods Blessing to:
Richard & Joan Sozzi 11/02
Bryan & Stephanie Waigand 11/03
Sam & Wendy Sokhanvari 11/05
Tim & Chrissy Browning 11/08
Robert & Deirdre Waigand 11/12
Michael & Margarita Wolfson 11/13
John & Debra Rushton 11/15
Phil & LaVon Koenig 11/23
Elwood & Eleanore Griffith 11/24
Jim & Ginny Wollerman 11/26
Verling & Dorothy Krissinger 11/28
Charlie & Denise DeFelice 11/30
The Lord bless you and keep you.. Num. 6:24
If your birthday or anniversary is not on the list, please let us know by signing the birthday/anniversary sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
FROM THE VICAR
Im happy to say that once again Faith Lutheran Church has a youth group. On October 14 six young people and one adult met with Arianna and me in the youth room. We had a great time just hanging out for a while, playing pool, foosball and ping pong. Then we moved on to some worship, Bible study and general planning for the year ahead of us. Were all looking forward to more time having fun, studying, and doing service. So for any of you who are in Jr. or Sr. high come and join us on Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30. Were also looking forward to going to a local worship and praise concert on November 16. Its only $5 a person. Mark your calendars.
In other Vicar news, my wife Arianna and I just celebrated her birthday on October 20. She is happily still less than thirty years old.
Vicar Dave
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FAITH FAMILY MEMBERS
IN THE MILITARY
Private 1st Class Nick Schmidt, US Army, Ft. Hood, TX
Airman 1st Class Kenny Brooks, US Air Force, Davis AFB, AZ
Petty Officer Tim Fjelsted, US Navy, Kuwait
Sgt Robert Waigand, US Army
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