Faith s Blessings. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 6567 Glades Pike Somerset, PA

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1 FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 6567 Glades Pike Somerset, PA Sunday Sunday Church School 10:30 am NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Somerset, PA PERMIT NO. 6 Faith s Blessings 6567 Glades Pike Somerset PA (O) ; Pastor Ben (904) November 2017 From the Pastor s Desk... RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED I hope and pray that all is well among the people of Faith Lutheran this month. I know that God continues to be with you through the journey of life. It is with great joy that we look around us to give thanks this season for that which we have. We praise God that we live in a country where we are free to worship and spread the gospel. We praise God that we have friends and family whom we love and enjoy spending time with. We praise God that we have a purpose in life that continues regardless of age, physical ability, or worthiness. We praise God that we have awoken this day to find that we are still alive. In all things we praise God, the source of all. As we engage in giving thanks and praise to God, I will raise a word of caution. While we thank God for what we have, we must resist the urge to covet what we had. For many of us we remember the wonderful things that were but are no longer. Jesus warns that no one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom. These memories can tempt us into coveting the past, at the expense of the present. Many good and faithful people have been lured down this road longing only for the joy that was and is no more. Unfortunately, this leads to only bitter resentment of the present and disgust at the future; neither of which are thanksgiving nor praising of God. The present cannot and will never be what was. The loved ones laid to rest cannot be replaced. Nor can the future replace the past, for they will always be different. This is the painful truth about the past, the memories can be sources of joy and comfort but they are in the past and we are people in the present. So, I encourage you this season to take stock of what is, and give God praise for what we have now in the present. It is a great exercise to remind ourselves that God is moving and active with us just as much now as he was during those wonderful times in the past. Our God was, is, and will be with us calling us into the life in the Gospel of Christ Jesus. For this we owe God all the thanks and praise we can give and much, much more. I pray that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Gods Peace, Pastor Ben

2 Faith s Blessings Page 2 Faith s Blessings Page 11 During the month of October the following individuals were lifted in prayer: Family and friends of Cathy Qualters, Emma Burkell, Bernice Saylor, Dani Gilbert, JoAnn Snyder HAPPY BIRTHDAY Alex Lake 11-2 Nolan Pyle 11-3 Krista Speelman 11-4 Joe Swank Herb Walker yrs Ruth Shockey yrs Kallista Lake Allison Revello Dan Walker Tacy Weaver Bob Wiltrout yrs Jim Rayman Clare Walker Arianna Ohler Brad Lohr Jackalynn Lohr Byron Glessner COLORING PAGE FOR THE KIDS We also pray for Michael Fonner and Leslie Weed-Fonner, the missionaries we sponsor. Continue to remember those who are in Harm s Way: Sgt. Sean Blackburn, H.N., David Geary, Zachery Kimmel, Benjamin Meese, Jamie Miller, Maj. Scott Powell, Justin Pugh, Joshua Walker and Clair Weyant. REMEMBER THE TIME CHANGE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4. TIME TO FALL BACK! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mike & Marcy Simons yrs. Carl & Carol Schrock yrs.

3 Faith s Blessings Page 10 Faith s Blessings Page 3 Information Needed! Please note that Sunday, November 12 is the absolute deadline for information for the December newsletter! All committees should have their year end reports submitted to the office for publication in the newsletter. This is necessary because of the upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting and seeing that the congregation has the information needed for the meeting. There will be no exceptions, so please do your part and submit your reports. THANK YOU! Congregational Meeting Sunday, December 10, Faith will hold their Annual Congregational Meeting immediately following the 9 am worship. Items on the agenda include voting on 3 people to fill council; discussion/voting on the 2018 Ministry Proposal; discussion on the newly formed Employee Review Committee and report on their first review of employees. The agenda may change (adding or deleting items) so watch December s newsletter for the final listing. November 2nd Offering The 2nd offering being collected on Nov. 12 has been designated for Lutheran Disaster Relief. Our offering will specifically be sent for Hurricane Harvey Relief in Texas. Thank you for helping those affected by the storm try and get back to a normal, everyday life. Mark your Calendars The following special worship, youth events and others activities are being planned. Please watch your bulletins and newsletter for more info. as it becomes available. NOV. 5 NOV. 12 NOV. 19 All Saints Sunday Pack Operation Christmas Child boxes WELCA ThankOffering Sunday September Council Minutes Council met with 9 members and Pastor Ben present. Shirley Weimer provided devotions. Council minutes, Treasurer s report and Pastor s report were reviewed, motion made and 2nd for each and approved. Committee Reports Finance Tally Sheet reviewed Social Harvest Social is scheduled for Saturday, October 28 from 2:00 to 5:00; discussion of a Trunk-Or-Treat with Friedens, Rockwood and Benscreek have expressed interest in joining us for this event Worship using ELW Setting 10 for worship; 8 people attended meeting to voice concerns about worship format; a bulletin will be offered each week; inquiries about the best place for the screen to be viewed by all was made, still in process Education Sunday School has started and will be offered every Sunday; Fall curriculum is set Youth FLP camp went well with 6 attendees; checking into another youth Lock-in with the Salisbury youth Property speaker in nursery isn't working, will check with Carl Schrock; old upright vacuum cleaner needs a cord but replacement would be costly so checking into replacing the vacuum; Ken Will planted bushes at front sign Mission Team Mission Builders have a Feb. project at Luther Springs, possibly we could help Our Faith in Action continue to work at the church from 10:00 to 2:00 every Wednesday making lap blankets, wheel chair totes and knotted blankets and a quilt for the Camp Sequanota auction

4 Faith s Blessings Page 4 Faith s Blessings Page 9 COUNCIL MINUTES (cont. from page 3) Old Business still working on curtain removal from overflow painting of parsonage ceiling and oven removal still in progress looking into a lock for Altar Guild cabinet LED lights to purchase - waiting for quotes New Business November and December 2 nd offerings have been designated to the Lutheran Disaster Relief fund for both Hurricane Harvey in November and Hurricane Irma in December; Advent Offerings will be going to Faith's Mission Team Congregational meeting set for Dec. 10; 2018 Ministry Proposal and Personnel Review Committee reports needed for meeting; and need 3 names to vote on for new Council Members to replace those leaving (Sandy & Dave Pyle, Brock Bowers and Shirley Weimer.) Harvest Home Sept. 24; Blanket Sunday Oct. 1; ThankOffering Sunday Nov. 19 ALSM fund drive Sept. 17-Oct. 15 Newsletter New Feature Beginning with the January edition of Faith s Blessings, we will only be listing those birthdays and anniversaries of significance. It their place we will be trying out a Recipe Corner. Each month we will publish 1 or 2 recipes that are submitted by members of the congregation. If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with our members, make sure you get a copy of the office. It will be printed in the newsletter as space permits. We know our congregation is full of wonderful cooks, so let s share our dishes that are YUMMY! Good of the Order/Adjournment Next Council meeting will be held October 12, Jolene Everett will provide devotions. Motion made, 2nd and approved to adjourn; closed with the Lord s Prayer. Cindy Miller Council Secretary

5 Faith s Blessings Page 6 Faith s Blessings Page 7 November Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat We thank those who are willing to serve for the month of November: 2nd offering is for Lutheran Disaster Relief Hurricane Harvey 5 All Saint s Coffee Break SCS 10:30 am 6 Committee Night 7 pm 1 Bible study 2 pm 7 8 NO Bible study Time change FALL back November 5 Altar Guild Assisting Minister Sandy P & Katey H Darren Walker Acolyte Reader Alex Swank Andi Mandrick Joe Swank Family Council Person Joeleen Everett November 12 Altar Guild Dawn & Brittany Will Acolyte Will Brant Assisting Minister Brenda Maust Reader Rich Walker Rich & Darren Walker 12 Pent. 23 2nd offering SCS 10:30 am Pack shoeboxes 1 pm DEC newsletter deadline!! 19 Pent. 24 ThankOffering Sunday SCS 10:30 am Thanks Eve Worship 5pm 13 WELCA 7 pm Bible Study 2 pm NO Bible study NO choir practice 16 Council 7 pm 23 HAPPY THANKS- GIVING Office closed November 19 9 am service Altar Guild Sandy & Katey Acolyte Adam Latuch Assisting Minister Dave Pugh Donna & Jackie Rhoads Reader Jackie Rhoads November 26 Altar Guild Dawn & Brittany Acolyte Jack Loeffert Assisting Minister Bill Hoffman Reader Steve Will Steve & Dawn Will 26 Christ the King SCS and FLP 10:30 am Bible Study 2 pm 30 Please remember that if you cannot be here on a Sunday you have a job, find a replacement!

6 Faith s Blessings Page 8 Faith s Blessings Page 5 Operation Christmas Child The time has come! We are ready to pack our shoeboxes. Join us Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1 pm in the fellowship hall as we stuff our boxes with our wish list items that have been donated by the congregation. Thank You does not seem adequate enough for your generosity in helping collect everything from band-aids to socks and shirts and even toys but THANK YOU! Thanksgiving Eve Worship This year, we will be doing things a little differently for our Thanksgiving Eve Worship. Pr. Ben and his family will be spending this holiday with family in Florida. We will gather on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 5 pm for a Service of Thanks and Prayer. Please note, there will be no communion at this service. Be sure to mark your calendar and join us for this special service which will allow us to give thanks to God for his many blessings he has bestowed on us! FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 2017 TREASURER'S REPORT INCOME 2017 Previous September Totals Year Current 7, , , Benevolence , Missionary Support , Building/Maint , Misc. In/Out , TOTAL INCOME 9, , , EXPENSES Proposal Total Ministries , , Operating 1, , , Payroll Taxes , , Total Payroll 6, , , Outreach Benevolence , , World Hunger Thank You The Children s Sunday School asked and the congregation responded! We now have enough brown grocery bags and can begin making our costumes for the Nativity Play. Missionary Support , , nd Offering , Other , , Food Pantry Chamber Dues Total Outreach , , Maintenance , , Mem. Fund Purch Misc. In/Out , TOTAL EXPENSES 10, , , ASSETS General Checking $5, Savings (Pastors Disc. Fund) $1, Somerset Trust CD (60 mo.) $5, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund $16, FNB CD (9 mo. Flex) $ Memorial Funds $10, Camp Scholarship CD $6, Funeral Meals $1, Mission Team $1,050.12