May 2023 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Greetings:
It’s been three years since I introduced you to “Namaste” when passing the peace. We needed a non-contact way to share and Namaste took root. We bow a half bow, fold hands and offer the word “Namaste” (Nom-as-tay). It means “The Holy in me greets the Holy in you.”
The word is actually rooted in the Hindu and Indian culture with a belief that “God resides in everyone.” Namaste is a way of showing respect and honor to another person and the divine within them. (from a Google search). Along the way several of you have gifted me with “Namaste” gifts! I have a name plaque for the office “Namaste in my office.” And a similar saying on a coffee mug!
I think if both churches could ensure we have hand sanitizer at the ready, we could probably go back to hand shakes and/or hugs. It’s really up the individual comfort level.
But, why do we do that awkward greeting during the service in the first place? Well, like most of our liturgy it comes from the Bible! Matthew 5:23-24 (paraphrase) says to make peace with your brother or sister before you make your offering.
So let us continue to make that peace with one another, feel free to “travel” across the room and down the aisle. However, we pass that peace, we are always doing a version of Namaste! We respect and honor the other, and the holy that resides in each. Thanks be to God!
Namaste!
Pastor Doug
Worship Time Change:
Per the Shared Ministry Agreement, we change worship times starting in the month of May. Beginning Sunday May 7th, St. Andrews moves to 9am worship and Faith Lutheran to 11am! Thank you, one and all, for your flexibility and understanding. As always, I remind you that if the other time slot works for you on a “given” day, you may certainly worship at the other church as many of you have done. It’s the same God!
Council Meeting Highlights - April 2023
Discussed land sale update.
Prepared for 4/29 meeting with Pr. Jerry O'Neal (IK Synod) and Council and Growth/Expansion Committee.
Discussed building use policy documents. Teresa to use ELCA model to draft for Council review and placement on website.
Discussed Shared Ministry Covenant in preparation for Joint Council Meeting with St. Andrew's 6/10.
Synod Assembly to be virtual this year; need to get more info.
Pitch-in will be May 21, coordinated by Fellowship Team.
Faith Pitch-in
FAITH is having a pitch-in for all to join in! Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 21st after the 11am worship service. Faith is known for it's great cooks. It has been too long so let's dust off those cookbooks and share wonderful dishes. Desserts, drinks, serving utensils, and paper goods will all be provided. May 21st will be a time for Faith, fellowship and food! All are welcome! If you have any questions, please reach out to the Faith Fellowship Coordinator Nikki Lee at nlee15@sbcglobal.net or 317-488-7730.
Wednesday Night Zoom
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.
Faith Formation / Sunday Evening Zoom
Faith Formation: We meet each Sunday evening, 7 pm, on Zoom. Faith Formation invites members of both churches who have never joined in, to come and see what's happening! This is a fun, lighthearted look at our faith journey. The Zoom link is sent out with the Sunday morning email.
Food Pantry
In April, we fed 111 families and some 450 individuals! The need for our food pantry is great. Please continue to donate non-perishables and funds so we can continue to help feed our community.
The next food pantries will be held on Friday, May 5th, from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 20th from 9 - 11 a.m. We ask you to please prayerfully consider joining us as we serve our neighbors. All hands are welcomed and needed!
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 either the church office know or send email to bkochersperger@foxcontractors.com.
Thank You Very Much
“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the way of God in Christ Jesus” (1 Th. 5:16)
● Thanks to: Phil Zillinger for continually addressing and treating our well issues.
● Thank you to Ron Graff and the property team for cutting the grass and outside work.
● Thank you, Bill and Sandy Self, for the lovely planters adorning the alter.
● Special thanks to Becky Albaugh for her work preparing our Agape Meal Thursday of Holy Week. Thank you Becky!
● Thank you to Janice Lee and others for arranging the meal on Easter Sunday.
● Sincere thanks to the ladies who prepare fellowship snacks each Sunday!
● Thanks and praise to the Facebook “guys” who record each week: John, Kevin and Brian. We’d be lost without you all.
● Thanks to all our Council Members for your continual service, thank you!
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.
May 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.
BIRTHDAYS
JJ James May 06
Phil Zillinger May 10
Vi Hughes May 17
Matt Hacker May 20
Matthew Becker May 23
Karen Anderson May 27
Jim Justus May 28
Lou Ann Funk May 31
ANNIVERSARIES
David & Janice Lee May 07
Kevin & Lynnette Westwick May 21
Ron & Elaine Graff May 23
Worship Assistants - May 2023
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
Altar Flowers
May 7
Lori W. Becker
Karen A.
Kim Orebaugh
Teresa K.
Kevin W.
Jay Anderson
Mona Etter
Janice Lee
Kevin W.
Lee 5/1 - 5/7
May 14
Lori W. Becker
Jay Anderson
Teresa K.
Brian K.
Kevin W.
Phil Zillinger
Becky Albaugh
Karen A.
Janice Lee
Curry 5/8 - 5/14
May 21
Lori W. Becker
Samuel Muncy
Phil Zillinger
Karen A.
John K.
Gil Sams
Julie Muncy
PITCH-IN
Jim Orebaugh
Albaugh 5/15-5/21
May 28
Lori W. Becker
Lori W. Becker
Karen A.
Jim Orebaugh
John K.
Julie Muncy
Joyce Sams
Vi Hughes
Debbie Hacker
Hacker 5/22-5/28
Daily Readings & Devotions
Sunday, May 1
Monday, May 2
Tuesday, May 3
Wednesday, May 4
Thursday, May 5
Friday, May 6
Saturday, May 7
Sunday, May 8
Monday, May 9
Tuesday, May 10
Wednesday, May 11
Thursday, May 12
Friday, May 13
Saturday, May 14
Sunday, May 15
Monday, May 16
John 14:8-14
Ezekiel 34:23-31
Psalm 100
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Exodus 13:17-22
Proverbs 3:5-12
Psalm 102:1-17
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
Luke 6:12-16
Psalm 96
Tuesday, May 17
Wednesday, May 18
Thursday, May 19
Friday, May 20
Saturday, May 21
Sunday, May 22
Monday, May 23
Tuesday, May 24
Wednesday, May 25
Thursday, May 26
Friday, May 27
Saturday, May 28
Sunday, May 29
Monday, May 30
Tuesday, May 31
Deuteronomy 31:1-13
Luke 24:44-53
Acts 1:6-14
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Johm 17:1-11
Psalm 99
1 Peter 4:7-11
1 Kings 8:54-65
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23
Joel 2:18-29
Romans 8:26-27
Luke 1:39-56
Daily readings are provided by the Christ in Our Homes published by Augsburg Fortress. Copies of this quarter’s books are available for pickup. If you would like a copy and can’t make it to the church, please contact Pastor Doug or the church office.
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
Continued Prayers: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Dan Weaver (father of Dee Dee Kochersperger), Steve Albaugh, Unknown needs to all who are troubled in mind, body, and spirit.
Students: Annika Cahill, Douglas Perez, Maddie Anderson, Matthew Benning, Lindsay Basicker, and all students in Avon!
Military Service Members: All Service Men and Women fighting for our freedoms
Current Events:
Continued Covid-19 struggles and Peace for our troubled world
Leadership and Local Organizations:
ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, I-K Synod Bill Gafkjen, 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.
If you would like to add details to your petitions you are welcome to do so but you do NOT have to.