Faith Lutheran Church

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Caren Freeman
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In August we had another very successful outdoor worship. It was fantastic to have the praise band play with our organist Sue and her husband. faithgardner.

1 Newsletter for September 2017 Faith Lutheran Church Responding to and Sharing Gods love with all People Watch the latest sermon on Youtube The Gospel of Moana This summer has been amazing! Thank you so much for all that you have done for Faith Lutheran Church this summer. Above is a picture of the Herbert family who were baptized in July. In August we had another very successful outdoor worship. It was fantastic to have the praise band play with our organist Sue and her husband. faithgardner.org/ youtube Check out our website This fall we move in a different direction and I can t wait to share with you all the wonderful things we have planned. Saturday, September 16th we kick off the year with a showing of Moana. For those who have not seen the movie Moana is about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the oncemighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest to become a master way-finder. Together they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she always sought: her own identity. faithgardner.org Connect with us on Facebook During the song Know Who You Are, Moana faces the goddess Te Fiti, a mythical being who is wreaking havoc in the region. A western, cowboy-saves-the-day ending would have Moana countering the angry goddess with greater power. But the surprising twist is that she confronts evil with a song. I have crossed the horizon to find you - I know your name - They have stolen the heart from inside you. But this does not define you - This is not who you are - I know who you are. And so it is, the Gospel according to Moana is not one where saving grace comes to rescue a wretched soul, but a song that empowers the other to live into their full potential. facebook.com/ faithlutherangardner Continued on page two.. 1

2 Church Meetings September 3rd Worship 9 and 10:30 4th Outreach 10 am 5th Social Ministry 6:30 10th Worship 9 and 11:00 16th Men s Group Cookout 5 pm 16th Moana Movie 7pm 17th Worship 9 & 11 Sunday School 10 19th Council 6:30 24th Worship 9 & 11 Sunday School 10 26th Men s Group It works. Te Fiti transforms from an angry, destructive force, into a beautiful, lush, green island that provides abundantly for everyone within her ecosystem. We are called to affirm the gifts inside of each other. We want to live into the fullness of who we are called to be. Faith Lutheran Church 627 Green St Gardner, MA office@faithgardner.org PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE WHEN You or a family member is sick or in the hospital. You are planning a meeting or scheduling an event, so it can be placed on the church calendar. A baby is expected in your family. You want to arrange for a Baptism or Wedding. A family member has passed away. Office Hours Tuesday 1-5 Wednesday 9-1 Friday 9-1 Your telephone number or address has changed or if you are planning to move, locally or out of town. You feel the Church can help you in any way. CHURCH STAFF Pastor Joe McGarry Pastor Joe McGarry is available by appointment. Please contact the office or pastor@faithgardner.org In cast of an emergency he can be reached on his cell phone Organist Sue Sawyer Band Director Bob Boutwell Secretary Andi Hinckley Sexton Raymond Pfeifle IV Starting with October, Sister Virginia will create and send out a monthly newsletter. Deadline to submit an item to the newsletter is the second Monday of the prior month. For October the deadline is Monday Sept. 11. To submit an item please it to wistahsistah@gmail.com or leave it on the church office door Council Officers President - Ray Pfiefle Vice President Secretary - Jennifer Chagnon Treasurer - Steve Pincott

Getting Ready for the Fall? Don t forget to donate your clothes, linens, shoes, etc to our St.

3 September Worship Schedule September 3rd 9:00 and 10:30 September 10th 9:00 and 11:00 September 17th 9:00 and 11:00 September 24th 9:00 and 11:00 We collect a single food item each month for the Gardner CAC. For the month of September we will be collecting: CANNED PASTA School Shopping? Getting Ready for the Fall? Don t forget to donate your clothes, linens, shoes, etc to our St. Pauly's Shed Upcoming Dates and Events New England Women of the ELCA Reformation Celebration - October 14th at Christ the King Holliston, MA Women s Luncheon - October 17th Faith Lutheran Church Fall Fair - November 18th 3

Thank You SEPTEMBER Birthdays 1st 3rd 10th 16th 16th 18th 18th 18th 19th 20th 27th To those who

work at setting up and tearing down the outdoor worship Sister Virginia who lead worship for Al

Hosnander Jonathon Pack Sandra Turula Stephen Chace Nathaniel Beauregard Cookout and Outdoor

4 Thank You SEPTEMBER Birthdays 1st 3rd 10th 16th 16th 18th 18th 18th 19th 20th 27th To those who are working hard at putting together Sunday School The praise band and their roadies for the hard work at setting up and tearing down the outdoor worship Sister Virginia who lead worship for Al Anderson Joan Conner Margaret Knowlton Virginia Strahan Robert Marinelli Zoe Frigoletto Joyce Hosnander Jonathon Pack Sandra Turula Stephen Chace Nathaniel Beauregard Cookout and Outdoor Movie September 16th Movie Moana 5:00 cookout and 7:00 Movie All are invited and encouraged to bring a friend 4

Faith Lutheran Youth Sunday September 10th - Sunday School Registration at 10:00 am Sunday September 17th - Rally Day Saturday September 23rd - Youth Group Kickoff Event Sunday September 24th -

5 Faith Lutheran Youth Sunday September 10th - Sunday School Registration at 10:00 am Sunday September 17th - Rally Day Saturday September 23rd - Youth Group Kickoff Event Sunday September 24th - Confirmation Meeting for Students and Parents 5:00pm PLAN YOUR FUNERAL Three informational sessions on planning a funeral will be held on three consecutive Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27 at Faith Lutheran Church, 627 Green St., Gardner. Each session will be held at 12:30 p.m. and repeated at 6 p.m. The 12:30 p.m. session will include a free lunch provided by a grant from Thrivent Financial. Speakers and topics are: Wednesday, Sept. 27, Funeral Planning, a general discussion with Doug Stone, president of Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, Winchendon, on planning a funeral from the perspective of a funeral home, with ample time for questions; Wednesday, Oct. 4, Planning My Church Funeral, with Pastor Joe McGarry, Faith Lutheran Church, with ample time for questions; Wednesday, Oct. 11, Writing My Obituary, with Sister Virginia Strahan. How do you want to be remembered? Writing an obituary after a loved one has died can be a stressful experience for those left behind, and the obit isn't always accurate. Sister Virginia, a former reporter and religion communicator, will guide participants in writing their own obituary now to either highlight their achievements and proudest moments, or to tell a simple story of a quiet life. Writing your own obituary ensures accuracy and just makes things easier. All sessions are free. The public is invited. For more information, call Faith Lutheran Church at

6 Synod and Community Events Hurricane Harvey Relief Please stand by our neighbors as we begin the long road to recovering from Hurricane Harvey, one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the country in more than a decade. Lutheran Disaster Response s affiliate is actively present, collaborating with community leaders and officials to initiate the proper responses, particularly the long-term recovery efforts. Together, we have a strong history of working with disasters in the Gulf Coast area. Recovery efforts are expected to take years, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to accompany those affected through every phase of this disaster. We invite you to stand by our neighbors on the Gulf Coast during this time. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those left homeless or otherwise affected by this disaster for years to come. Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response, designated for "Hurricane Response United States" will be used entirely (100 percent) for this disaster until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it. Please go to ELCA.org and click on the link to donate or leave a gift at the church and we will send it. Gardner Rotary Club 3rd Annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Tasting Wednesday September 27, :00-8:00pm Polish American Citizens Club 171 Kendall Pond East, Gardner Tickets are $25.00 Ticket Sales support the Backpack Program that provides food for Gardner Public School students and families in need. This program exists in partnership with Heywood Hospital. If you are interested in this event please see Pastor Joe to buy a ticket. Starting in September two local AA groups will be meeting at the church. One group will meet Monday -Friday 8:30-9:30 am and the second group will be meeting Monday- Saturday 12-1pm. Both groups are wonderful and the council is very happy that we have space for them to meet. This also helps with our signifiant budget deficit. If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Chagnon or Pastor Joe. 6

Happy 500th Birthday, Lutheranism! In October 1517, the Reformation was born. This started the

Happy 500th Birthday, Lutheranism! In October 1517, the Reformation was born. This started the movement for the beginning of the Lutheran Church. Over the years it has taken on many forms and I am thankful