Inside Faith Congregational MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAITH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOVEMBER 2018 It s November, ya ll. Time to be thankful. PASTOR S PEN If we all take the time to reflect on what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives, I m sure that each of us would be able to create our own unique thank you list. As pastor of Faith Church and with Thanksgiving just around the bend, I d like to share with you mine: I m thankful for our denomination, the United Church of Christ, our Florida Conference, and our 90 sister churches. I m thankful for Faith Community Kitchen s 17 years of ministry to our community, and for all of the volunteers and generous supporters, who this year raised $11,000 through our Golf Tournament! I m thankful for the connections we share with other faith communities in Port St. Lucie, and for our yearly Interfaith Thanksgiving Service (this year on Wednesday at 7 PM at Faith Church). I m thankful for our Faith Kidz, who encourage and inspire us every Sunday, who have wonderful Sunday School teachers, and who remind us that God works in and through all our generations. I m thankful for our Sisters in Faith, who are always faithful in caring for those in need beyond the walls of our local church (and who also enjoy dressing up and having a good time together). I m thankful for our new Scouting friends, Pack 448, who liven up our property every Tuesday evening as they instill in young people values of responsible citizenship and good manners, along with other important life skills. I m thankful for their generosity to others, which we can support by bringing non-perishable items on Sunday, November 4 (through November 9), for their Scouting for Food outreach. I m thankful for the Advent and Christmas season (beginning next month). What a great way to wrap up the year, remembering God s greatest gift to us, His own presence in our lives! And lastly, I m thankful for the 5-Year Vision of Faith Church. I m thankful that we know deep in our hearts we are Growing Together in Faith for years to come! I hope you enjoy this month of thankfulness. Yours in Faith, Pastor Rob Hunter
Dear Friends in Faith This past October 11th thru the 13th Carol and I along with our pastor, Rob Hunter had the honor and privilege to represent you at,the Annual Gathering of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida. This year's theme Faith on The Move centered on the diversity in the UCC. Being Christ-like, we are welcoming to everyone who comes to worship with us. We attended a several classes while we were there. One of which was about blended music during the worship service. Examples of both traditional and contemporary were given. We are already doing a good job of this. This year's keynote speaker talked about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the church. Without it we will wither and die. This is something we at Faith Congregational Church have been very open to and practice always. Naples United Church of Christ is a very large church (1200 members). They presented a wonderful worship service at the end of the conference. They have about 35 people in their choir and 15 in their children's choir. Something for us to aim for. Along with a grand piano and a real pipe organ, they had a cellist and a violinist from the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. Yes, the music was wonderful! Thank you again for allowing Carol and I to represent you, Faith Congregational Church, at the Annual Gathering of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ. Yours in Christ, Bob and Carol McDonnold
MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH Community Outreach Ministry Patty Hesser Discipleship Ministry Bob Santom Property Ministry Rich Pecho Stewardship Ministry Ron Knepshield Worship Ministry Carol McDonnold Don & Marge Eplion Beverly Johnson Janice Overly Susan Shafer Mike Shapiro FAITH STAFF Pastor Rob Hunter Pianist & Choir Director Hazel Graham Administrative Assistant Frank Grieco STEERING OFFICERS President Marcia Steiner Vice President Wilma Osterhoudt Treasurer Kelly Phillips Secretary Paula Akucewich
READINGS FOR NOVEMBER 2018 November 1 Luke 19-20 November 2 Luke 21-22 November 3 Luke 23-24 November 4 John 1-2 November 5 John 3-4 November 6 John 5-6 November 7 John 7-8 November 8 John 9-10 November 9 John 11-12 November 10 John 13-15 November 11 John 16-18 November 12 John 19-21 November 13 Acts 1-3 November 14 Acts 4-6 November 15 Acts 7-8 November 16 Acts 9-10 November 17 Acts 11-13 November 18 Acts 14-15 November 19 Acts 16-17 November 20 Acts 18-20 November 21 Acts 21-23 November 22 Acts 24-26 November 23 Acts 27-28 November 24 Romans 1-3 November 25 Romans 4-7 November 26 Romans 8-10 November 27 Romans 11-13 November 28 Romans 14-16 November 29 1 Corinthians 1-4 November 30 1 Corinthians 5-8 2-Mary Scott 2-Ian Hunter 5-William Richards 6-Marissa Latchman 7-Marjorie Martin 15-Rich Pecho 18-Susan Shafer 22-Rev. Rob Hunter 22-Rose Mathurin 29-Bob McDonnold 13-Kathy & Bob Day 26-Mary & Tom Scott 27-Dale & John Bolton
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Community Meal 5-6:30 pm 2 3 Sisters in Faith 4 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME Choir 8 am 5 6 GENERAL ELECTION 7 Choir 8 Community Meal 5-6:30 pm 9 10 Memorial Service for Ed Akucewich 11 am Worship 9 am Sermon: Is there a bond stronger than blood? 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 VETERAN S DAY Choir 8 am Worship 9 am Sermon: What moves us to sacrifice? VETERAN S DAY OBSERVED IRA Giving Seminar Stewardship 5:30 pm Steering 6:30 pm Scouts 6:30 pm Faith Ladies Brunch 11:30 am Choir Community Meal 5-6:30 pm 18 Choir 8 am Worship 9 am Shepherds 10:15 am 19 20 Scouts 6:30 pm Growing Through Grief 21 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service 22 THANKSGIVING No Community Meal 23 24 25 Choir 8 am Worship 9 am Sermon: What are you looking for? 26 27 Scouts 6:30 pm 28 Choir 29 Community Meal 5-6:30 pm 30