Faith E-news        July 17, 2015 

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Food Pantry Item for July is Whole Wheat Crackers.

This Week's Ministry Blog
Wonder, Renewal & Compassion

 

    

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

   

Just when the apostles thought they would get a little breather, there was more work to be done. Sound familiar? The needs of the world pressed in upon Jesus. The word was out about the work Jesus was doing - the compassion that was sufficient to meet real human need; food for the hungry, healing for the sick and rest for the weary. The compassion of Jesus was defined by the way Jesus took notice and how he refused to look past the hurt - fully present with real hope.

 

Our youth canoe trip through Wilderness Canoe Base at the end of the Gunflint Trail was a renewing event. This kind of adventure is a time to be away, set apart from the usual routines and demands. While days are filled with a variety of activities, all requiring a good amount of exertion, it is all still very much restful.

 

This particular trip had its own pace. It had all the weather and conditions you would expect for June in the BWCAW: rain, high water, mosquitoes, muddy portages, ample sunshine, cool nights, and an occasional passing thunderstorm. We had great campsites along the way that gave us perfect space for tents, cooking and taking in the views of wilderness. One of them had an especially nice swimming beach and we took full advantage of it.

 

Swimming in cool and crystal clear waters is rejuvenating. It soothes tired muscles, takes away the itch from bug bites, and lifts your spirits. Swimming came at a perfect time, caring for the needs at hand and making us all glad to share in the adventure. On a deeper level the week provided a special way to nurture the gift of faith and foster gratitude for the many gifts freely given. Outdoor ministries of the church have known for a long time how the human need for wonder and hope are met when we find a good rest in the quiet places.

 

So as we share in worship and service in these summer days are we open to the compassion of Jesus who continues to come alongside of us? Are we ready to live into such compassion so we too may take notice of the needs around us for the sake of hope? Do we hear the call to the quiet places each day wherever they may be so we can be renewed in wonder and grace?

 

Pastor Randy 



 Annual Budget Meeting Sunday, July 19   

   

The Annual Budget Meeting is Sunday, July 19, at 11:30 a.m., in St. Michael's Hall. The reports are available at the Welcome Center or you can click here to download it from the website.



RenewingFaith FAQs

 

The RenewingFaith Capital Campaign has raised some questions that we would like to share.

   

Q. When and how should I turn in my 3-year pledge for RenewingFaith?

A. As soon as you have prayerfully considered your 3-year pledge, please complete and turn in your pledge card to the church office. Pledge cards have been mailed to all church members, are available in the church office, or can be printed from Faith's website at www.faithlc.org/renewingfaith. The campaign and collection of pledges will conclude in September, when we will celebrate RenewingFaith and the beginning of fall activities. 

 

Q. How are we progressing toward our RenewingFaith goals?

A. To track the progress of campaign goals, check out the RenewingFaith flower banner hanging in the Commons, which will be updated weekly. Each green leaf represents a Faith family or individual who has made a pledge and the red dots mark the total amount pledged toward the $1.1 million goal.

 

 Go to www.faithlc.org/renewingfaith to find answers to more frequently asked questions.    

 


Preschool Openings Available for the
2015-2016 Preschool Year

 

   Seeds of Faith Logo

Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center has a few openings in the following classes for the 2015-2016 preschool year:  

* Two-year-old Classes: Fridays from 9:15-11:15 a.m.

* Three-year-old Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-11:45 a.m. OR 1:00-3:30 p.m.

* Four-year-old Classes: Monday through Thursday from 12:45-3:15 p.m.

 

To be eligible for programming, children must be the age for the class by September 15, 2015. Seeds of Faith offers quality faith-based half-day preschool programming for children ages two through five. A ministry of Faith Lutheran Church, Seeds of Faith utilizes the Creative Curriculum and the Project Approach to provide a developmentally appropriate preschool experience in a loving and nurturing environment. Our classrooms are center-based with an emphasis on learning through play. Seeds of Faith is rated five stars on Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS).

 

To learn more information or to set up a time to visit, please contact Heidi LaBounty, Director, at 515-689-8334 or [email protected].

 


Picture Directory      

  

Did you know as members you have access to the church's Online Directory? You can access it on the website at www.faithlc.org/Quick_Links/Member_Directory. If you do not remember your user name, you may reset it on the website or contact Miranda in the office.

 

We will also be doing an update to our current directory. If you missed having your pictures taken last time, LifeTouch will be here on Wednesday, October 14, from 12:00-7:00 p.m. More information to come. Please contact the church office if you are interested in having your pictures taken.

    


Annual Luther Park Ice Cream Social

  

The annual Luther Park Ice Cream Social is coming soon. There is a need for pies (no soft pies allowed) to be donated for the event on Sunday, August 2. Vi Munsch would like to pick them up in the church kitchen on that Sunday. You are also invited to attend the social for a refreshing treat between 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center on the Luther Park Campus. Vi Munsch, Faith Lutheran Church Representative to Luther Park

    


Baptism Orientation

  

Parents who are expecting a new baby or who have new babies are invited to attend a baptism orientation as well as Building Blocks, a class that teaches how to create a home that will teach your child about God's love. The next quarterly session will be held on Thursday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. here at church. Please sign up for the class by emailing Kala at [email protected] or calling her at 225-8334.

    


Summer Marriage Encounter Event Dates    

 

The next Marriage Encounter event will take place July 27, 29 and August 3 and 5. These four evenings from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. offer the whole Marriage Encounter program in less time than a full weekend. Check the community bulletin board in the entryway, the revolving kiosk in the Commons, or the Welcome Center for more information and brochures. See also www.marriage-encounter.org/Affiliates/cime.htm or call Kent and Jeannette Babcock at 278-8458.

 


Children & Family Ministry

 

 

 


Youth & Family Ministry

Check the website for more information.

Have You Been Following Along with the
ELCA Youth Gathering Trip
    

  

Have you been following along on the National Youth Gathering Trip? There are several ways for you to remain connected and informed:

Daily Video Updates-Links to our daily video updates will be posted to the Youth & Family Ministry Twitter and Facebook accounts beginning on July 14 or 15 (Please note: Video updates are subject to internet availability; if it is unavailable, we'll relay that on Twitter). We encourage you to leave comments on these videos-we read each one aloud every evening. It's a great way to share your prayers, comment on the videos, and to "participate" in our journey from a distance. 

Twitter-In addition to videos, we'll be using Twitter to post photos and other updates in real-time throughout the trip. The URL for our Twitter account is: http://twitter.com/FaithLCYouth (You do not need a Twitter account to see the updates).

We hope that you'll join with us on our journey, lifting us up in daily prayer and keeping tabs on our online updates!