FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 6567 Glades Pike Somerset, PA 15501 www.faithlutheransomerset.org faith@faithlutheransomerset.org NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Somerset, PA 15501 PERMIT NO. 6 Faith s Blessings 6567 Glades Pike Somerset PA 15501 (O) 814-443-3179; Pastor Ben (904) 556-6687 Sunday Sunday Church School 10:30 am FROM THE PASTOR June 2017 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Grace and peace to you, in the name of Jesus Christ. We have enjoyed a wonderful spring time with many exciting things happening and being planned for this summer. We have decided to use a portion of the field next to the church to grow pumpkins for our Fall Harvest Social. We are looking at Thursday Evening Outdoor Services this summer, to be held in the pavilion. We are looking forward to celebrating Holy Trinity and having a double baptism at that service. We continue to be part of on-going conversations with the Laurel Highlands Conference about how to re-form our identity, mission, and vision together with the other Lutheran Churches in the county. I am also pleased to announce the themes for the summer bible scriptures, that will be our focus between the Narrative Lectionary series. The Narrative Lectionary runs from September to Pentecost Sunday, which means that during the summer it allows space for the Pastor, the Worship Committee, and the congregation to choose topics to focus on within the bible. The topics this year will be God and Women for June; How God calls Prophets for July and Is that really in the Bible? for August. In God and Women we will explore how God has used women throughout time to carry out his plan and purpose in the world. We all know Mary but what are some of the other women in scripture who serve Gods will, but we don t hear much about? How do we challenge the cultural norms, like these women, for the sake of Gods will? In How God Calls Prophets we will take some time looking at the different way the prophets got their start. Most of the time the prophets are ordinary people living ordinary lives until God needs them to do something extraordinary. How do we live into our calls that we have from God to do the extraordinary in the world around us today? In Is that really in the Bible? we will look at some common phrases that people say about God and other things that they credit to the scriptures but are not actually there. A common one that we hear used is God helps those who help themselves, when in reality the opposite is true, especially with Jesus death and resurrection. It is a great way of examining the things we say and how we live life to see if we are perpetuating resistance to God or striving to get closer to God. In all things, we look to God for our hope and guidance going into summer this year. The love of God, the peace in Christ, and the hope of the Holy Spirit will sustain us in our efforts to be God s people. God bless you and keep you, Pr. Ben
Faith s Blessings Page 2 Faith s Blessings Page 11 Operation Christmas Child 2017 Wish List During the month of May, we lifted the following individuals in prayer: Charlie Landis, Ruth Fieg, Caydence Walker, Linda Knopsnyder, Ruth Williams, Arianna Ohler, Kohen George, Joyce Hoffman, Brenda Phillippi, Nancy Walker, Judy Glessner, family and friends of Seth Landis. 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, Benjamin Meese, Jamie Miller, Maj. Scott Powell, Justin Pugh, Joshua Walker and Clair Weyant. Mark your Calendars Confirmation Class will NOT meet on July 2 or September 3! Bible Study will NOT meet on June 21 or July 5. Council will NOT meet on July 13. Kayla Miller 6-1 Janice Williams 6-2 Brian Rose 6-3 Misti George 6-6 Oliviah George 6-6 Kristin Brant 6-9 Caroli Mandrick 6-15 Will Brant 6-17 Jim Fieg 6-21 Diane Delancey 6-22 Katey Hill 6-23 Katelynn Swank 6-24 Danni Gilbert 6-25 Craig Walker 6-28 Paul Mosholder 6-30 Jeanetta Shaffer 6-30 Bill & Mollie Walker 6-7 9 yrs. Lee & Jean Shaffer Dave & Cindy Miller 6-9 6-10 43 yrs. 38 yrs. Bill & Shirley Trent 6-10 62 yrs. Dave & Dee Custer 6-17 Dave & Diane Delancey 47 yrs. Chuck & Pat Brant 6-25 6-26 40 yrs. 63 yrs. June Flip flops Sunglasses Harmonicas July Small toys Decks of cards Jump ropes Small balls August Pens Pencils/erasers Glue sticks Safety scissors September Crayons Markers Coloring books October Socks t-shirts Costume jewelry November Snookie hats Mittens/gloves DROP YOU DONATIONS IN THE BOX IN THE NARTHEX AND SPARE CHANGE IN THE COFFEE CAN THANKS!!
Faith s Blessings Page 10 Faith s Blessings Page 3 April 2017 Council Minutes Council met April 6, 2017 with 8 members and Pr. Ben present. The meeting opened with devotions by Pr. Ben. The Council Minutes, Treasurer s Report and Pastors Report were reviewed. A motion was made, 2 nd and all reports were approved. Committee Reports Pumpkin Patch You may see some work taking place in the field at the church during the Summer. We are working on planting a pumpkin patch! Pumpkins will be sold and all proceeds will go toward raising funds for different ministries of the congregation. This will ultimately culminate in our celebration of All Saint s Sunday and our Harvest Social. Stay tuned! Finance Social Worship Education Property Youth tally sheets reviewed the next LHAC meeting will be April 30 in New Centerville (food provided.) Faith s Family Banquet will be at Berlin firehall on June 3 (more details to follow) continuing to tweak bulletin and projector for worship services. Holy Week services completed and will begin using Now the Feast with Easter Sunday 9 am until Pentecost NO Sunday School or Confirmation will be held on Easter Sunday. Classes are planning on being continued for the summer and it has been noted that there is great attendance across the various classes a heat pump motor quit functioning, new one purchased. This trend may continue since other motors are getting older. Pr. Ben informed council the wall oven in parsonage has not been functioning, Gene Hillegas & Carl Schrock looked at it and electrical issues were found. A replacement unit (cost could be $800-$3500) if existing unit cannot be fixed. It may be made into cabinet space yard clean-up scheduled for April 29; youth are encouraged to participate (continued on page 4)
Faith s Blessings Page 4 Faith s Blessings Page 9 COUNCIL MINUTES (cont. from page 3) Mission Team meeting held with Friedens about WV trip. We can send 6 people and $75 is required to supply food and transportation. Bp Rhyne is planning to send a mission team from our synod to MT this summer to help build new synod office (told cost would be around $500 + ) for airfare Caring Workers Old Business currently making feminine hygiene products for women in Africa. Trying to make 4/person and have set a goal of 1000 pieces; which would help 400 women Yearly audit will be done April 23 Synod Assembly; Pr. Ben, Katey Hill, Sandy Pyle and Tomalee Will are going New Business Easter Ad for the paper advertising worship times will be $40; motion made, 2 nd and approved to go ahead with ad Easter egg hunt candy and snack donations are being requested for April 15 Audrey Walker & Brenda Maust would like to have a gob sale to benefit OCC mailing costs Cemetery Assoc. will meet April 23; spring clean-up soon Council will need to fill an upcoming empty seat; Brittany Will moving in June and her term expires December Farm tractor needs a new battery; will check with Mark Friedline about a new one Good of the Order Next meeting will be May 11 and Tomalee Will has devotions. Motion made, 2 nd and approved to adjourn. Closed with the Lord s Prayer. Brittany Will Council Member June Second Offering The 2nd offering for June which is scheduled for collection on June 11 has been designated for the Shriner s. We have been regular contributors to the organization since 2002 so this makes it our Anniversary Year. The Shriner s are known for offering free medical care to children. Thank you for continuing to support this outreach! Honoring our Graduates On Sunday, June 4 we will take the time during worship to honor those who have graduated from kindergarten, high school and college. So far, we will be acknowledging Billy Bowers, Michelle Lake, Jacob Maust, Max Trevarrow and Brittany Will. If you were missed, let the office know. Bible Study The Bible Study group that meets on Wednesday afternoons from 2-3:30 pm will continue to meet through July 19. They will then take a summer break and NOT meet during August. Watch your bulletins, newsletter or the Facebook page for the announcement of when they will again gather. Thanks to those who faithfully come to Bible Study and we hope to see some new faces in the future! Youth Sunday School Youth Sunday School will continue to meet through the summer months. On the schedule are crafts and projects, field trips and snacks. Hope to see all you kids in class! The group plans to keep meeting thru the summer. Anyone who would like is invited to join us on Wednesdays from 2 pm. Projects we will be working on are lap blankets, wheelchair totes and knotted blankets. Any and all skill levels are welcome.
Faith s Blessings Page 6 Faith s Blessings Page 7 June 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat We thank those who are willing to serve for the month of June: 4 Pentecost Honor Grads. Coffee Break Confirmation 12-1:30 pm 11 Holy Trinity Baptism 2nd offering (Shriners) Newsletter deadline 18 Pent. 2 Confirmation 12-1:30 pm Happy Father s Day 2nd offering is for Shriner s 5 Plant Geraniums 6 pm Committee Night 7 pm 12 WELCA 7 pm 19 20 6 7 Bible study 2-3:30 pm 13 14 MT Mission Trip thru 27th Bible study 2-3:30 pm 21 NO Bible Study 1 2 3 8 Council 7 pm 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24 June 4 Altar Guild Mabel R. & Janet A. Acolyte Billy Bowers Assisting Minister Dave Pugh Reader Deanna Bowers Billy & Brock Bowers Council Person David Pyle June 11 Altar Guild Karen Shaffer Acolyte Jack Loeffert Assisting Minister Brenda Maust Ryan Maust & Jim Rayman Reader Brenda Walker June 18 Altar Guild Mabel and Janet Acolyte Will Brant Assisting Minister Bill Hoffman Reader Laura Miller Doug & Laura Miller June 25 Altar Guild Assisting Minister Karen Shaffer Jane Pugh Acolyte Reader Nicole Keller Rich Walker Dan & Dawn Walker 25 Pent. 3 26 27 28 29 30 FLP 10:30 am DAY CAMP Bible study 2-3:30 pm ALL WEEK Please remember that if you cannot be here on a Sunday you have a job, find a replacement!
Faith s Blessings Page 8 Faith s Blessings Page 5 Pentecost Sunday We will observe Pentecost on Sunday, June 4. We would like to ask 2 things of the congregation: Wear your red to worship AND Bring a red geranium to plant around the church Anyone who would then like to be a gardener is asked to help plant the flowers on Monday, June 5 at 6 pm. Any and all help is appreciated! Sequanota Day Camp Once again, it is time for Day Camp at Faith with Camp Sequanota! Day Camp will be June 26-30 from 9 am-4 pm here at Faith. Applications have been mailed to the kids who participated last year and camp is open to kids from kindergarten through 6th grade. If your child did not receive an application and would like to attend, call the church office at 443-3179. Deadline is June 5 so don t wait, there are lots of fun things planned, including a trip to Camp Sequanota. Hope to see you at Day Camp. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 2017 TREASURER'S REPORT INCOME 2017 Previous April Totals Year Current 16,544.12 43,337.83 11,933.44 Benevolence 3,264.00 7,887.25 1,252.10 Missionary Support 485.00 1,025.00 211.00 Building/Maint. 1,636.00 3,618.00 699.00 Misc. In/Out 695.50 1,488.61 456.06 TOTAL INCOME 22,624.62 57,356.69 14,551.60 2017 EXPENSES Proposal Total Ministries 644.52 1,509.16 9,550.00 Operating 1,055.71 4,683.32 18,000.00 Payroll Taxes 187.82 665.71 2,000.00 Total Payroll 7,862.19 29,618.58 93,186.88 Outreach Benevolence 434.00 2,291.00 9,000.00 World Hunger 45.00 150.00 0.00 Missionary Support 180.00 930.00 2,000.00 2nd Offering 1,303.00 1,760.50 0.00 Other 1,541.00 4,313.11 2,850.00 Food Pantry 0.00 100.00 0.00 Chamber Dues 0.00 0.00 150.00 Total Outreach 3,503.00 9,544.61 14,000.00 Maintenance 2,071.96 8,640.82 19,000.00 Mem. Fund Purch. 0.00 0.00 Misc. In/Out 406.01 789.26 0.00 TOTAL EXPENSES 15,543.39 54,785.75 153,736.88 ASSETS General Checking $11,263.17 Savings (Pastors Disc. Fund) $1,660.16 Somerset Trust CD (60 mo.) $5,000.00 Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund $15,950.36 FNB CD (9 mo. Flex) $3,067.97 Memorial Funds $10,159.55 Camp Scholarship CD $7,402.54