Faith Lutheran s Council

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1 Welcome to Faith Church: We are a group of flawed people, joining together to be a part of God s family. Join us as we serve God by Feeding the Hungry in Body and Soul. Faith Lutheran Church California Street Yucaipa, California Phone (909) Fax (909) faithyucaipa@gmail.com like us on Facebook: Faith Lutheran Church Yucaipa, California Sunday Worship is at 10:00 am Adult Sunday is at 9:00 am Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Faith Lutheran s Council President: erwin Buschauer Vice President: George Motschall Recording Secretary: Karen Hall Financial Secretary: Caroline Mkanza Treasurer: Richard Beal Preschool: Pat Motschall Education: Jennifer Beal Outreach/Evangelism: Steve Cady Social Concerns: Diane Bartlett Stewardship/Finance: Becky Malinowski Property Mgmt.: Fred Mazurier Worship & Music: Michael Shea Youth: Jessica Sandoval Preschool Director: Christina Ornelas Office Administrator: Curene Stoltz "It is better to laugh about your problems than to cry about them." -Albert Einstein THIS ISSUE: Presidents report 2 Outreach 3 Women of ELCA 4 Music & Worship 4 Prayer list 4 Finance/Stewardship 5 Education 5 Gospel Schedule 6 Our Poverty 7 Stewardship Calendar 8 Upcoming events 8 Birthdays 9 Wish List 9 Preschool 10 Monthly Calendar 11

2 Presidents Report We`ve recently had a visit from Pastor Terry Tuvey Allen. She is an Assistant to our Bishop, and as part of her duties, she helps to illuminate the road ahead for us as a congregation. We discussed our present situation with her, and methinks I should share that with you as well. Soooo...Here goes: Things are going very, very well here at Faith. We`re paying our bills, making costly, but necessary repairs to our property, and while attendance is down as is usual for summertime, we have every reason to believe this fall will show a marked increase in worship attendance. The supply pastors that have served our congregation are doing so splendidly. We could not ask for better pinch hitters;; which brings me to the purpose of Pastor Terry`s visit, and this letter. They are, after all, pinch hitters. You, as a congregation, deserve to have a stable, dependable Church. One that is served by a called pastor. Temporary replacements do not visit shut-ins or perform wedding or funeral services. They do not teach confirmation classes, comfort the afflicted, conduct Bible classes for either you or the daycare children, and they are not there when one of us has a personal problem that only a trained and caring clergyman can help with. Right now, the bulk of the day to day functions, aside from the Day Care, is being handled by our office manager, Curene, and our music director, Irm Jennings. (I have this recurring nightmare that these two might someday leave us, hand in hand.) I will share a few of my thoughts. Thoughts that I`ve shared with both the Council, and with Pastor Terry. This fall, I hope we will begin a call process. This is no snap. We, with Synod`s help, will define our needs, and we will then find the pastor that is the right fit. This process will take at least 6 months and will be done by members of our congregation. There are possibilities that we may share a full-time pastor with another, nearby Lutheran church. Or we may find a pastor that is willing to serve us on a part-time basis. Both are possibilities, but we may also set our sights on one, full time Pastor. This last possibility would take an increase in both membership and giving. But it is not as far-fetched as you might suppose. There are interim measures that can be taken to increase the availability of some of the services I`ve mentioned, before entering into a more permanent arrangement. Pastoral care for one or two days a week beyond Sundays, which would probably entail the services of retired clergy who lived close by and who are able and willing. Pastor Terry informs us that there are even other possibilities out there. Quien Sabes? (I`m showing off my Spanish.)

3 We have a significant amount of money saved, thanks to the generosity of Myrtle Poppe. This fall our Outreach Committee will step up its efforts to invite more followers of the Lord to join us. The Finance Committee will make an effort to increase Church giving. From Pastor Terry we learned that she was called to a congregation that informed her at the time that they had enough funds to pay her for three years. She ended up serving that Church for eleven. (We could perhaps guarantee a year or more, right now.) Please pray ardently for help and guidance for us all. As always, I remain your brother and servant in The Christ, ~erwin Social Concerns/Outreach and Evangelism Committees God s Work; Our Hands DATE CHANGE We will be doing God s work on Saturday, September 15th. The event will be at Faith doing fix-it projects. Watch for updates on the projects to be done so you can come prepared to work on the project that fits you. Food & drinks will be available. Faith s 5th Sunday Potluck The potluck is on for September 30 following the church service. All the evaluations from the last potluck said Yes to continue. The fellowship was the big draw. Come join, eat and visit. See the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Pantry The average turnout of 80 family units continues. The shelves look pretty empty sometimes. We can always use Tuna Helper, canned tuna and pasta sauce. RUMMAGE SALE 2018 UPDATE & REQUEST 1½ months from now the sorting, pricing and gathering of stuff for the annual rummage sale will commence. Actual dates are: Set up is starting Monday, October 15th Actual sale will be Friday and Saturday, October 26th & 27th.

4 Quilting meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of June, 9:30 am, in the sewing room. All quilters are welcome. WELCA S women Bible study starts back up on Sept. 1 st, all women welcome. FLAT SHEETS NEEDED Our amazing quilters are working overtime to get all those beautiful quilts done for shipping next month, but they could use more FLAT SHEETS (sizes twin to queen) Worship and Music Committee Report The worship and music committee did not meet in August, but will meet at the regular scheduled date on September 11 th and through the remainder of the year. If you would like to join the committee, contact one of the current members or simply come to one of our s. The s are always open in any event. Current members are Eloise Johnson, David and Bonnie Strack, Irmengard Jennings, and Michael Shea as Chairperson. At the council on August 21 st one important worship-related issue was discussed. During at the rail communion, the committee needs to make sure that enough apple juice is included on the trays. Some who take communion cannot drink the wine for a variety of reasons. Both elements are not required for communion to be complete as you may understand it. The host is entirely sufficient in its own right. For the Sept.30 th (5 th Sunday) potluck, if you know a member at St. Albans who may like to attend, please invite him or her to do so. The next 5 th Sunday is December 30 th. Please wear your name tags during services. We have had visitors lately, and all need to know names. Also, service volunteer signups are going well. In September, one additional assis. minister will probably join ranks along with Carol Jennings, Steve Cady and Michael Shea. Beginning in September the Sunday will begin, and helpers will be needed. Please consider volunteering for this important need. Respectfully Summitted, Michael Shea

5 Financial Report Our financial situation at Faith continues to remain fairly stable, despite the usual dip in contributions over the summer months. As of the end of July, we show a net gain of approximately $70,000. This includes the money from an estate (about $90,000) and the initial payment of about $30,000 to the roofing company, which will be offset by the Thrivent loan currently in process. Our initial loan request with Thrivent was for $51,000; however, Thrivent felt that, given our income for the first half of 2018, they wanted us to put up more of the cost of the roof and electrical repairs from our own money. We have been approved for a $30,000 loan, and are in the process of finalizing the loan for a 10-year term. The Fellowship Hall roof has been replaced and paid for, and the remaining roof and electrical repairs are in process. Future upcoming necessary repairs include the replacement of the hot water heater, which was recently found to have been leaking for quite some time. We also need to repair or replace several doors, and are currently working on options to replace the malfunctioning air conditioner in the Fireside Room. (By the time you re reading this, ceiling fans and energy-efficient LED light fixtures should be completely installed in the Fireside Room.) Although our net gain so far is certainly a good thing, financially speaking, we do need to consider that there are these upcoming repairs, as well as likely others that we don t yet know about. This number is also, in a sense, artificially inflated, as that money comes from a large estate, which is not something we can or should count on as a steady source of income. As we look toward potentially calling a pastor in the near future, we are also working on minimizing our expenses, as well as increasing our revenue from building use and other sources. Both of these can help us financially, but ultimately cannot replace ongoing contributions from members. For that reason, it is always important to keep the needs of the Church and its ministries to the community in mind when giving. 5

6 Property Management In the month of August, the fellowship hall roof was replaced and the electric panels in the Church were done. The flat roofs will be replaced in two or three weeks. We are looking at replacing the lights with led lights, installing 4 ceiling fans, and possibly a small wall AC in the fireside room. We are also working on bids for a new hot water tank and repaving the parking lot. Education We'd like to resume Children's Sunday this month, but we need volunteers who are willing to teach. I have been leading the children's Sunday for the past several years, and I'm still willing to help coordinate curriculum and materials, but I find myself needing a break. I also think my own kids would benefit from having me in one less teacher role during the week. We purchase a great curriculum that is easy to follow and that the kids really enjoy. They love reading from the Bible and doing crafts, but Children's Sunday can be as much or as little crafting as you'd like it to be. If you've got your own lessons or craft ideas, you are welcome to use those as well. If there's one person who would be willing to teach Children's Sunday every Sunday, that would be wonderful. But if that's not a good fit for anybody, please consider signing up for one Sunday a month. Respectfully submitted, Jenny Weaver-Beal What to expect in August September 2 nd Mark 7:1-8,14-15, September 9 th Mark 7:24-37 September 16 th Mark 8:27-38 September 23 rd Mark 9:30-37 September 30 th Mark 9:

7 Our Poverty, God s Dwelling Place How can we embrace poverty as a way to God when everyone around us wants to become rich? Poverty has many forms. We have to ask ourselves: What is my poverty? Is it lack a of money, lack of emotional stability, lack of a loving partner, lack of security, lack of safety, lack of self- confidence? Each human being has a place in poverty. That s the place where God wants to dwell! How blessed are the poor, Jesus says (Matthew 5:3). This means that our blessing is hidden in our poverty. Faith Lutheran s Sick and Shut-ins For those who are ill or recovering: Elaine Stuckey, Lemoi family, Cara, Amanda, Yvonne Marie, Tom Beaudine, Lynda Buschauer, Nicole, Peggy, Kody Barak, Breke Sperling, Margaret, Carli, Jerry, and Diane Can t make it to church? Would you like to receive communion or have someone pray with you? Call the church office for a visit from a Caring Servant. We want to thank Bob Walker Signs for donating their time and supplies to fix our polls for banners. 7

8 Date September 2 September 9 September 16 September 23 September 30 Asst. Minister Communion Asst. Ushers Norma Burwell Norma Burwell Reader Michael Shea Michael Shea Carol Jensen Michael Shea Michael Shea Norma Burwell Norma Burwell Norma Burwell Acolyte Rachel Mkanza Benet Reagan Charlotte Beal Saria Vaughn Charlotte Beal Sunday Teacher Sunday Helper Soundboard Richard Beal Alec Blue Richard Beal Richard Beal Richard Beal Lock-up Fred Mazurier George and Pat Motschall Richard and Jenny Beal Michael Shea Coffee Hour Host Altar Care Counters Pat Motschall Gerry Witwer Pat Motschall Carol Jensen Pat Kilday Pat Motschall Karen Hall Pat Motschall Eloise Johnson Erwin and Lynda Buschauer Pat Motschall 8

9 Sue Christensen Sept 4 th Diane Bartlett Sept 5 th Krista Botts Sept 5 th Richard Beal Sept 9 th David Strack Sept 11 th Carol Jensen Sept 15 th Trude Koger Sept 20 th Steve Cady Sept 22 nd Norma Burwell Sept 23 rd Tom Ziech Sept 29 th Steve and Sharon Cady Sept 2 nd It never occurs to a boy of eighteen that someday he will be as smart as his father! In an effort to get some special tasks completed around FLC, we have started a wish list. Do you know something that needs to be fixed or something that is needed to make the mission here at FLC work better? Or do you want to help make a difference? Please share your ideas and thoughts with Curene (in office) or write them down on the Wish List cards in the Narthex. New sign out front Paint offices Clean up Library Paint new parking lines in parking lot Front lawn/ gophers Fixing up the Fellowship Hall for different groups to use. Clean all files in office Get new gate Fix toilet in women s bathroom Repaint white wrought iron fence Paint narthex Fix outside light by office door Please note these are not substitutes for your regular contribution made towards the well-being and mission of the ministry. Instead, these projects can be sponsored by individuals, families, or groups who would like to finance a special project. Wishes that came true Roofs are half done New electric panels Please submit your articles for The Voice by the 20 th of the month to be included in the following month s edition. You may them to faithyucaipa@gmail.com or bring/mail them to the church office. 9

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11 September 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:30 O.A. 9:30 am women s bible study 10:00 am A.A. 2 10:00 am Worship Service 3 Office Closed :30 3 9:00 am Adult Office Open Sunday 10:00 am Worship Service 4 8:30 3 Office Open 10:00 am Alanon 11 8:30 3 Office Open 10:00 am Alanon 10:00 am Stewardship and Property Mgmt. 5 8:30 3 Office Open 9:30 am Quilting 12 8:30 3 Office Open 9:30 am Quilting 6 8:30 3 Office Open 13 8:30 3 Office Open 7 8:30 3 Office Open 14 8:30 3 Office Open 8 7:30 O.A. 9:30 am Food Pantry 10:00 am A.A. 1:00 pm Cecilia s celebration of life 15 7:30 O.A. 10:00 am A.A :30 3 9:00 am Adult Office Open Sunday 10:00 am Worship Service 6:30 pm Social Concerns and Outreach 7:30 pm Worship and Music comm. 18 8:30 3 Office Open 10:00 am Alanon 10:00 am bible study leaders 5:30 pm Preschool Comm. mtg. 6:30 pm Council mtg 19 8:30 3 Office Open 9:30 am Quilting 20 8:30 3 Office Open 4:30pm 7:00pm Spaghetti Dinner 21 8:30 3 Office Open 22 7:30 O.A. 9:30 am Food Pantry 10:00 am A.A :30 3 9:00 am Adult Office Open Sunday 10:00 am Worship Service 25 8:30 3 Office Open 10:00 am Alanon 26 8:30 3 Office Open 9:30 am Quilting 27 8:30 3 Office Open 28 8:30 3 Office Open 29 7:30 O.A. 10:00 am A.A. 30 9:00 am Adult Sunday 10:00 am Worship Service Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 11

12 Faith Lutheran California St. Yucaipa, CA The Voice A Newsletter From Faith Lutheran Church and Preschool 12