We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
I saw a sign on a building in Brownsburg celebrating the "BER" months! AI helped me understand it means the last three letters of the last three months of October, November, and December! We are in the middle of the "Ber" months as we enter November: my birthday (shhh), colder, darker weather, Daylight Savings Time, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and more. However we define it, here we are in November!
For us here at Faith, the Faith Formation Sunday night study time, the Wednesday night Bible Study, and the most important thing in November is the beginning of Advent. Pick up a devotional at church and plan to join us in Sunday night discussions!
This season of the "Ber" months brings up the Holidays, parties to plan and attend, family, etc. There is exhaustion raising its head and we are quickly overwhelmed. You probably could add to the list all kinds of things for November. Life is rolling along and we have too as well! There will be reminders about eating well, taking care of ourselves, and resting as we can. And then, during it all, comes Jesus. We hear Pastor's favorite Bible verse to help us along: "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!" Hebrews 13.8 and we are reminded once again, and we are thankful.
Remember, please, being a thankful person is God's call in our daily living. Not just the fourth Thursday of this month, but always and forever. No matter how much is going on in, with and around us, we are a grateful people for all that we have in daily life. During these "BER" months, let’s be thankful, grateful, and rejoice and be glad! Amen,
God be with you until we meet again!
Daylight Savings Time Change
October 31st/November 1st
Don’t forget to “fall back” an hour and change your clocks!
Food Pantry
Typically, November is the biggest food month of each year. Working together, Faith will be able to provide meat, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, and dessert for families across Hendricks County in surrounding areas.
November 9 – Delivery on Monday - let Janice Lee know if you can help unload the Gleaners delivery and she can text or call you to let you know when the truck will be there (30 min notice) usually between 8 am – 12 noon. 317-538-8959
Distribution – Prep begins at 2:15 pm; Distribution to clients through the drive thru process begins from 4 – 6 pm.
November 21st, Saturday – Planning for a big day.
Family is key and Faith’s Food Pantry wants to make sure we are part of the solution to feed those in need. We have been able to order some turkey breasts and ham at a reduced cost from Gleaners, but it’s not free. If you feel called to donate to “Faith Food Pantry”, any amount is appreciated to help provide a holiday meal to our neighbors in Hendricks County in November and December.
The November Food Pantry non-food item to donate and distribute is bars of soap. They will be distributed on Sat, November 21st during the food pantry. Please leave any donated bars of soap in the church lobby on the top of the bookcase.
December will be yet another busy Food Pantry month. We will be distributing a lot of food again in December and collecting deodorant in December to distribute as a hygiene product to clients.
Faith’s Food Pantry
Janice L
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug on Wednesday nights at 7 pm. Ask Pastor Doug if you have any questions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED! Each week the Zoom link is sent out on Wednesday.
The Wednesday night Bible study is studying the Bible lessons for the coming Sunday. Come join the conversation!
Faith Formation / Sunday Evening Zoom
Faith Formation: We meet each Sunday evening, 7pm, on Zoom. This is a fun, lighthearted look at our faith journey. The Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email.
Tinsel and Tears
We know that the loss of a loved one is never easy, and the holidays can be especially difficult without them. You are invited to attend “Tinsel and Tears: Dealing with Loss during the Holidays,” which will be led by Pastor Jim Wetzel, a retired hospital chaplain. The intent of this program is to help you walk through your grief during this time of year. This will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church at 801 S. Green Street, Brownsburg.
Pastor Jim Wetzel is a Board-Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains, retiring as Supervisor from the Spiritual Care Department at Franciscan Health, Indianapolis. During his 16 years with Franciscan Health, Pastor Jim served the oncology community, helping patients, families, and friends navigate the traumas of impending loss and grief. He is currently a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Brownsburg and has hosted this annual event for almost 15 years, where he teaches about the complexities of grief and how to strategize during the holidays to bring about greater healing while celebrating the memories of loved ones who have died. Pastor Jim is also a retired Navy chaplain of 28 years and has a wife, Barbara, a daughter, Sarah, and a son, Aaron.
We hope you will join us for this event and encourage you to bring family members or friends who might benefit from this program. Those attending may bring an article of clothing belonging to their loved one that will be made into a small memorial pillow and delivered at a later date.
In order for us to better prepare and have adequate materials, an RSVP is appreciated by calling Messiah’s office at 317-852-2988.
God’s love and peace,
The Spiritual Life Board and Stephen’s Ministers of Messiah Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Highlights
1. Sunday Facebook Live streaming. We have been having bandwidth issues on Sundays. Until we get this corrected, if everyone could turn their Wi-Fi connection for their phone OFF during the service, or turn their phones off during the service, it would preserve the available signal for our livestream. (If the phone is trying to connect, it uses bandwidth even if the connection isn't actively being used.)
2. Council elections will be coming up soon. Please prayerfully consider saying "Yes" when our Nominating Committee asks you to serve.
3. Fall Festival. Thanks to Ciara and all the wonderful volunteers that helped make this event a success. For all who supplied food, prizes, etc., please turn in an expense report. If you want to consider it a donation, you can indicated that you don't want to be reimbursed, but the actual numbers are needed to plan for next year's festival.
Faith Giving Information
Faithful Faith Members...with the various giving options (traditional envelopes, direct deposit, Vanco Mobile or Vanco On-line via link from Faith’s website), we have reduced the number of offering envelopes for the congregation. Please let the church office know if you would like to have offering envelopes.
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16).
Thank you to everyone who helped with the first annual Harvest of Faith fall festival.
We appreciate the luncheon for new members.
Thank you to Pat and Sara for putting together gift bags for new members.
Thank you to all the volunteers working tirelessly before, during and after the food pantries, picking up coalition distributions, steering committee members for their efforts, the prayers provided, and the funds donated.
Thank you to Lori Becker for the countless hours you put in to buy several items month.
Thank you to Ron, Vince, and Lori for always covering the monthly coalition pickups in Danville, helping load food for the Hendricks County Coalition Pantries, and moving all of Faith’s food to the shed from the pickups.
Thank you to Debbie and Steve Hacker for attending meetings and moving hundreds of pounds of food each month while helping with Gleaner’s pickups.
Building Security
If you are the last person to leave the building, please check the list on the alarm, lock, alarm the building, and check the doors to protect people and property.
November Celebrations
We’d like to honor and celebrate with you!
Please contact the office to make sure we have
your birthday and anniversary on file.
November birthdays and anniversaries will return for December’s newsletter. New member information is in the process of being gathered.
Happy Anniversary to Joe and Pat Ingram, 34 years on November 25.
Prayer Wall
“Through Christ we can do all things”
Philippians 4:13
Join us in prayer for our brother and sisters in Christ for good health, healing, safety, strength, courage, peace, clear minds, renewed spirit, and for all their unknown needs.
Our Homebound Members: Martha Siemers, Carol Westwick, Judy Vogel, and Estelle Boyd.
Continued Prayers: New members
For special intention: Erica Hochstettler (death of mother)
Unknown needs to all who are troubled in mind, body, and spirit.
Prayers of comfort and healing to those Faith Family members who aren’t able to attend due to health concerns.
Higher Education Students: Kaleb Durfee, Maddie Anderson, Amy Westwick, Jacob Benning, Karissa Draper, Scott Brunton, Lily Brunton and all students in Hendricks County!
Military Service Members: All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms and their families who have also sacrificed
Current Events: We pray for safety around the world. We pray for the end to wars and calming of the weather.
Leadership and Local Organizations: ELCA Bishop Yehiel Curry, I-K Synod Tim Graham, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Family Promise, Sheltering Wings, Faith’s Food Pantry
As a family of Faith, we want to pray and celebrate WITH you. Please submit your requests to the office by phone 317.272.1022 or by email at flc.avon@att.net.