FAITH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

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1 FAITH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH The Rev. Michael J. Bodnyk Pastor s Cell # (610) Mbodn@aol.com The Rev. Manny Stivers Visitation Pastor (610) mannyrs234@gmail.com Mr. Michael Miller President, Church Council carmikegolf@ptd.net Mrs. Linda Eberhart Organist (610) AARP TAX AIDE February 4 through April 15 Lower Level (Parker Hall) Monday & Wednesday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Mid-week Communion Tuesday, February 5 th The Gathering Place, 1:00 pm Miller/Keystone Blood Drive Monday, February 18 th 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Mrs. Jennifer Kishbaugh Director of Music (610) Mrs. Joanne Gantz-Jalowiecki Director of Christian Ed (610) Joane842@ptd.net 3355 MacArthur Road Whitehall, PA faithlutheranwhitehall@rcn.com (610) Fax (610)

2 Dear Partners in Ministry: How many times have you heard people comment that Time seems to be going so quickly And they occasionally add that the older you become, the faster time moves!! I can relate to that 2018 really seemed to fly by. So much happened this past year in our church, as well as several stays in the hospital for me, so that the end of the year came in a flash! Right at the top of my report, I want to say, Thank you! Thanks to this congregation for your love, your care, your cards, your prayers and all your support as Sandy, Michael John and I continue to do battle with my cancer! It s an ongoing battle, but it s made easier knowing of all the partners we have supporting us! In last year s annual report, I used my space to thank everyone for their support of our ministries, highlighting many of those areas and people involved. I say Thank you again this year, but not individually. Working together, our partners in ministry at FELC have done and continue to do wonderful things! If you are not as involved in our church life as you want to be, let us know, and we ll find a niche for you! There are so many opportunities for us to grow! With your help, we re adding new members! Just the other week, we had a guest visit with us for worship. Her church recently closed, she s looking for a new church home, moved into the neighborhood, and here she was! As she left, she stopped to talk to me, and told me how much she enjoyed being here. She commented on how friendly the people were. I mention this because she went on to say that thirty years ago, she and her husband were church shopping, and he came here one Sunday by himself. Upon returning home, he told his wife, Don t bother going there; those people aren t friendly at all! (BTW: do the math; I ve only been here 24 years!) Now, she is back, and found a friendly and welcoming community of faith. We need to continue to reach out to others. Read the reports; look at neighboring houses of worship. See what is happening around our country. Church attendance all around is down. We ve lost a lot of faithful members at FELC over the past few years. People s priorities are changing, and church life is less important for many. But we have something to share that is so important: We have the Good News of new life with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! It s something we should be shouting about from our rooftops!

3 What do we need to do in 2019, besides continuing to reach out to new people? Some possibilities include: -Strengthening our ministries to our youth: stronger Sunday School; youth programming; involving our youth in worship -Strengthening our ministries to older members: provide transportation to worship and other activities; a pictorial directory so we know who others are We have greeted another new year together. For over 170 years, in two locations, the people of Faith Lutheran and our predecessor congregation of St. John s Lutheran have provided a witness to the Lord along MacArthur Road. Our church today continues to stand as a testimony to the faith of generations of people who are baptized in Jesus Christ. In all of its splendor today, let us continue to help make Faith Lutheran a place of faithfulness and calm. I continue to be so proud to minister alongside our partners at Faith Lutheran today! In Christ, The Rev. Michael J. Bodnyk Pastor

4 .happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence. Psalm 89:15 Sunday Worship Schedule at 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sunday School at 9:15 am Confirmation Class Mid-week Communion TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5th 1:00 pm Communion in The Gathering Place Elaine Snyder Our next Church Council meeting will be Monday, February 4th - 7:00 pm President: Mike Miller Vice President: Dan Herzog Secretary: Judy Ehret We welcome the following newly 2019 elected members: Patrick Ladd & Tim Lucas Blood Drive at Faith Monday, February 18th 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm To schedule a time to donate, contact: Judy Ehret at (610) Mr. and Mrs. Charles Landis (Andrea Heller) were married at Faith on Monday, December 31, 2018 CONGRATULATIONS!

5 Ash Wednesday March 6th, 2019 Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth. May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts EASTER FOOD BOXES Faith Lutheran will again be providing over 30 food boxes to families in need for Easter. That means your food donations will again be greatly appreciated. Just bring them to the church office or the Welcome Center. If you know families who could use a food box, give their name and contact info to Pastor Bodnyk. Easter Food Boxes needs: Hams, sweet potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cake mix, icing. Please have any donations to the church office by Friday, April 12th. Thank you again for all your support! Food Pantry needs are: tuna, pancake syrup, pancake mix, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, canned fruit, canned meats, soup, vegetables, coffee and tea. Many thanks for your continued support of this important ministry. PLEASE REMEMBER THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY. PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE LOCATED IN THE NARTHEX AND MONETARY DONATIONS IN THE SEMI- INFLATED FOOTBALL! DONATIONS WILL GO TO THE WHITEHALL FOOD BANK. Congratulations to Grace Kemmerer for making District Band and Sabrina Haller for making Lehigh County Honor Band.

6 CHURCH CHATTER Dear Friends in Christ, The coalition of churches that makes up the Whitehall Food Pantry, gratefully acknowledges your continued contributions and support of the mission we share. The money and food that you provide is critical to the mission of providing for our patrons who are experiencing difficult times. We thank you for your generous support and wish you a safe winter. Judy Ehret Whitehall Food Pantry Dear Friends in Christ, On behalf of the Whitehall Coplay Hunger Initiative, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you for your support of our mission. The free meal provided by our church, shows our guests that our community considers their safety and well-being, of utmost importance. We thank you for your caring spirit and generous support. Judy and Sheldon Ehret Whitehall Coplay Hunger Initiative Dearest folks of the Food Ministry: We want to thank all of you for your love and compassion to our family during the recent holidays. Thank you for all your great compassion and help to us and others - truly the light and love and mercy of our Savior Jesus shines from your hearts. May God bless you and keep you always. Our holidays were made especially happier due to your kindness. Anonymous Family February 4th through April 15th Lower Level of the church DOORS OPEN AT 9:00 AM - 12 No earlier, please! AARP FOLLOWS SCHOOL CLOSINGS IF WHITEHALL SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED, THEY WILL NOT BE HERE!

7 Donate a completed basket. BASKET SOCIAL MARCH 2nd & 3rd, 2019 WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! The Basket Social is one of Faith s most beneficial fundraisers. We need your support to make this event successful again this year! We only have a few short weeks and there s a lot to accomplish. We are looking for basket donations. YOU can help in several ways: Ideas for baskets include: food/snack items, summer fun, lottery tickets, gardening, barbeque supplies, hobby supplies, cooking/baking, kid fun, the possibilities are endless - - and remember, GIFT CARDS are also great donations! Make a monetary donation and we will shop and assemble basket(s). Donate items for a basket and the committee will assemble it for you. Please be sure that these are NEW items. Our social has developed a very good reputation and following from our community for having quality baskets and gift items. Used items will not be used. Remember, keep your receipts and turn them in to the Financial Secretary your donation will be reflected on your giving statement. We understand that everyone is always busy, but.. If you would like to volunteer to assist in assembling baskets, our schedule is as follows beginning Tuesday, February 5th. Every Tuesday at 11:00 am and every Friday at 1:00 pm and Saturday, February 23rd at 9:00 am. AS LONG AS WE HAVE MATERIALS DONATED! If you want to help with assembling the baskets, please contact Jackie Daniel at (610) or Gail Herzog (610) SAT., MARCH 2nd, 9:00 AM TO 3:00 PM SUN., MARCH 3rd, 9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM SUN., MARCH 3rd, DRAWING 1:30 PM Sheets of 26 chances $5.00 WOW prizes $1.00 per chance Refreshments available Bake Sale Snow Date March 10th & 11th If you have any questions, please contact a basket social committee member. Thank you! Basket Social Committee

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10 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday FEBRUARY 1 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM Petite Scholars :00 AM - 10:30 AM Worship Service 9:15 AM Sunday School & Confirmation Class 11:30 AM Fellowship Comm. Meeting 8:00 PM AA Meeting 10 1:00 PM Pieceworkers 7:00 PM Church Council 7:00 PM Cub Scouts 11 1:00 PM Mid-Week 5:00 PM Community Communion Justice 5:00 PM Weight Watchers 6:30 PM Girl Scouts 7:00 PM Boy Scouts 7:00 PM Zumba :15 PM Handbells 6:30 PM Cub Scouts 7:30 PM Senior Choir :00 AM - 10:30 AM Worship Service 9:15 AM Sunday School & Confirmation Class 11:45 AM Worship & Music Committee 8:00 PM AA Meeting 17 1:00 PM Pieceworkers 7:00 PM Daisy Group Meeting 18 5:00 PM Weight Watchers 6:30 PM Girl Scouts 7:00 PM Boy Scouts 7:00 PM Human Resources 7:00 PM Zumba :15 PM Handbells 6:30 PM Cub Scouts 7:30 PM Senior Choir 21 8:00 AM CTC :00 AM - 10:30 AM Worship Service 9:15 AM Sunday School & Confirmation Class 8:00 PM AA Meeting 1:00 PM Pieceworkers 4:00 PM Blood Drive 11:00 AM Hunger Initiative 5:00 PM Community 5:00 PM Weight Watchers Justice 7:00 PM Boy Scouts 6:30 PM Girl Scouts 7:00 PM Zumba 6:15 PM Handbells 6:30 PM Cub Scouts 7:30 PM Senior Choir :00 AM - 10:30 AM Worship Service 9:15 AM Sunday School & Confirmation Class 8:00 PM AA Meeting 1:00 PM Pieceworkers 5:00 PM Weight Watchers 7:00 PM Boy Scouts 7:00 PM Zumba 6:15 PM Handbells 6:30 PM Cub Scouts 7:30 PM Senior Choir

11 Volunteer Schedule for February 3 - February 24 February 3 Boy Scout Sunday February 10 February 17 February 24 Liturgists E - Shiryl Decker L - Michael Lance E - Norma Hrozencik L - Barb Farrell E - Pat Wotring L - Jackie Daniel E - Art Frye L - Grace Kemmerer Communion Assistants E- Bobbi Kling & Fred Scheirer L- Phyllis Brader & Michael Lance Altar Guild E - Norma Hrozencik L- Rosemarie Haffner & Nancy Buskirk E- Diane Batza L- Sara Laub & Kathy Stofflet E- Cathy Haller L- Pat Walschburger & Beckie Ward E- Donna Ziegenfuss L- Rosemarie Haffner & Sara Laub Acolytes/Crucifers E - Cheyenne Gioielli & Macie Trotter L - Connor Cave & Jenna Lance E - Rachel Carr & Kaitlin Mackaravitz L - Ryley Colburn & Ethan Ringenberger E- Gianna Anfuso & Brandon Rummel L - Amber Peirce & Kaitlyn Ward E - Jillian Geroulo & Konstanse Hess L - Maxwell Euculano & Dayne Kishbaugh Lectors E - Boy Scouts L -Boy Scouts E - Emily Ladd L - Gail Herzog E - Open L - Jason Euculano E - Peg Frye L - Rebecca Ward Narthex Greeters E - Boy Scouts L - Boy Scouts E - Dean & Pat Wotring L - Michael & Lisa Lance E - Erich & Rena Berg L - Roger & Lucille Reichard E - Gary & Roxanne Hausman L - Tom & Deanna Smykowski Ushers E- Team 2 L- Team 5 E - Team 3 L - Team 6 E - Team 4 L - Team 7 E - Team 1 L - Team 8 Flower/Bulletin Sponsors F & B - Boy Scouts F & B - Charles Church & Norma Hrozencik F- Erich & Rena Berg B - Open F & B - Charles Church Coffee Hour Baker None Needed Michelle Ely Larry Rothrock Cheryl Endy