January 2026 Newsletter
We love, serve, and gather in Christ.
Pastor’s Corner
Friends:
Happy New Year!!
For as long as I've been a pastor (25 years +) I have written in the January newsletter about the joy of a new start!! I write about how we are new in this new year, how God makes us new every day in Christ and the forgiveness of sins.
I tell the story of a friend who has "Happy New Year" on her voice mail. Not just in January, but every day of the year! I talk about "newness" and wish it for you throughout the year.
Today I feel different. I get the newness and what that means for our walk with the Lord! Then I look at the world we live in today, I look at continued news that sounds the same. I look at areas of my life that I want to change. And I know I may or may not get there.
Because the old "sin" is alive and well, thank you! And that sin causes me to fail more often than I care to admit. I need the newness of Jesus at this time of year and always!! Thank God it's free for all and ours for the grabbing!
Thanks be to God!
Pastor Doug
Worship Time Change
Faith switches to 11am, until the end of April.
Per the Shared Ministry Agreement, we switch worship times every four months! Starting January 4th
Faith Church Council 2026
Karen Anderson – President (1 year term)
Janice Damrow – Vice President
Dee Dee Kochersperger – Recording Secretary
Jim Orebaugh – Financial Analyst (1 year term)
Pat Ingram – At-Large
Sara Curry – At-Large
Thank you to Teresa Kofodimos, Becky Albaugh, Samuel Muncy for your years of service. Thank you!
Council Meeting Highlights
Council Installation set for January 11th.
Annual Meeting set for February 15th.
Wednesday night Zoom/Virtual Bible Study
Wednesday night Bible study resumes from Holiday break at 7pm, Wednesday, January 7th. Weekday Zoom Bible Study is led by Pastor Doug.
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
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.
Congregational Information
Faith Worship time switches to 11am, until the end of April.
Council Installation set for January 11th.
Annual Meeting set for February 15th.
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 all who donated and/or funded our Christmas family. It couldn’t have been done without you!
● Thanks to everyone who set up and took down our beautiful Christmas decorations.
● Thanks to Julie Muncy for working to organize and record Christmas caroling.
● Many hard workers helped pull together this last Food Pantry of 2025, December 20. We give God all thanks and praise for Janice Lee and all of the food pantry team.
● 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 lock, alarm the building, and check the doors to protect people and property. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Anderson..
January
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
Lothar Nitz 01-17
Joyce Sams 01-20
Jodi Draper 01-29
Worship Assistants - January 2025
Altar Guild
Asst Minister
Lector
Cantor
FB Live Tech
Usher
Greeter
Fellowship
Gifts Counter
Cleaning Ministry
January 4
-
Lori W. Becker
Jim Orebaugh
Teresa Kofodimos
Janice Damrow
John Kofodimos
Lori W. Becker
Janice Lee
Vi Hughes
Becky Albaugh
Lee 12.29 - 01.04
January 11
Lori W. Becker
Brian K.
Debbie Hacker
Jim Orebaugh
Kevin Westwick
Jay Anderson
Joyce Sams
Becky Albaugh
Jim Orebaugh
Curry 01.05 - 01.1.11
January 18
Lori W. Becker
Lori W. Becker
Phil Zillinger
Teresa Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Janice Lee
Mona Etter
Karen Anderson
Phil Zillinger
Albaugh 1.12 - 01.18
January 25
Lori W. Becker
Phil Zillinger
Kim Orebaugh
Brian K.
John Kofodimos
Kevin Westwick
Jay Anderson
Mona Etter
Debbie Hacker
Hacker 1.19 - 1-25
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.
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: Judy Vogel and family (ongoing support), Martha Siemers.
For special intention: Jay and Karen Anderson, Mona Etter.
Unknown needs to all who are troubled in mind, body, and spirit.
Higher Education Students: Kaleb Durfee, Maddie Anderson, 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: Prayers of comfort for those who have experienced a loss due to the mass shootings. Peace for our troubled world
Leadership and Local Organizations:
ELCA Bishop Yehiel Curry
I-K Synod Bishop 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.
If you would like to add details to your petitions, you are welcome to do so but you do NOT have to.