Faith E-news        August 21, 2015 

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Food Pantry Item for August is 100% Juice in cans or plastic bottles.
                               June Donated Totals were 81 items and $515.00

This Week's Ministry Blog
You Have the Words... 
 
Many of the disciples found the teaching of Jesus difficult and "turned back and no longer went about with him." We might wonder why it was so difficult for them. What made them give up on the words and go unto something else so quickly? After considering all that Jesus said in John 6 about being the bread of life, we too might find such teaching difficult to grasp. For five Sundays this summer we have been listening to the words of Jesus from this chapter. By doing so we recognize that we are asked to take our time with the words that speak to our lives of faith.
 
No wonder we read the scriptures aloud and amongst community, in worship and study. If we find something difficult to understand, it's always empowering to know that the learning is a shared experience. No wonder we want to hear the word proclaimed within the gathering of people where songs are sung, and prayers are prayed and bread and wine are served. There is something made real in all of this. We are embraced by the Spirit creating room for our searching questions and stirring up faithful insights.
 
So it makes sense that Jesus called his disciples to abide - to remain, to dwell in the life of God in our very midst!
 
In John's Gospel, from the very beginning and throughout, we are met with the promise that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. It seems to me that so many things we do in the life of the church help us to keep embracing the mystery of the incarnation, again and again. What we do together week in and week out helps us to live more fully into the good news of God with us.
 
When Jesus asked the twelve if they wished to go away too, Simon Peter replied as we might today, "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." For Peter the teaching might have been difficult but he was able to trust in that moment that the difficulty did not change the relationship. Peter's response especially speaks to how discipleship is more of a journey than a quick fix.
 
While distractions to faith are plenty, the summons to remain steadfast still finds us and we grow deeper into the richness of a love that forever holds us!

Pastor Randy
 
(The stained glass window is in the sanctuary of Hope Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI. Photograph by Tim Abraham.)


 Artist Meet and Greet    
 
Come visit with some of our younger members who are featuring their art in the Messiah Hall Art Gallery. Please stop by on Sunday, August 23, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for a meet and greet with the youth from Faith (from Kindergarten to College) who are sharing their drawings, paintings, and photos. Their work will be on display through November.

Seeds of Faith Fundraiser with Granite City
ALL DAY-Thursday, August 27

Seeds of Faith Logo Enjoy a day off from cooking and support Seeds of Faith. All day Thursday, August 27, Granite City Food and Brewery will donate 20% of your total bill to the preschool when you present the flyer that you can download by clicking here. Save one flyer for yourself and distribute the other three to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers so we can get the word out on this great opportunity to raise money for the preschool! Preschool teachers and board members will be there from 5:00-7:00 p.m., but feel free to come at any time on Thursday, August 27. Don't forget to bring your flyer and wear your Seeds of Faith or Faith t-shirt if you have one. Thanks for your support! Hope to see you there!
 

Learn, Laugh and Lunch
    
We're going to tour the State Capitol! Meet at Faith by 9:30 a.m. to carpool. The tour is at 10:30 a.m. and will last 1 1/2 hours and then we will head to Tumea & Sons Restaurant for lunch. Since we need to make reservations at Tumea & Sons, please make your reservation by Monday, August 24 by contacting the church office at 225-8334 or email Miranda at mirandakurtt@faithlc.org. If you need a ride or can provide a ride, please contact the church office. All are welcome!
 

Faith Hosting Family Promise Families
August 30-September 6
 
Our congregation will be hosting the Family Promise Network, homeless families with children, at the Gathering House from Sunday, August 30 to Sunday, September 6. There will again be opportunities to prepare and/or serve meals, to host during the evening or overnight, and help set up and take down needed supplies. Sign-up sheets and additional information will be available in the Commons between worship services until Sunday, August 30. Please help us in providing for our guest families.
 
 

Blessing of the Backpacks and School Supply Drive   

Students of all ages are invited to bring a backpack (or any school supply) to be blessed by Rachel and our church members Saturday, August 22, or Sunday, August 23, at both services. We will also collect donations of school supplies for Crestview Elementary School. You can bring your school supply donation with your child's backpack to be blessed at service that morning. Please be present in service that morning so that we can infuse our students with the support of God and our church as they enter into a new year of learning!

School Supply Drive
We are accepting donations of crayons, No.2 pencils, markers, wide rule notebooks, safety scissors, colored pencils, Kleenexes, and hand sanitizer for Crestview Elementary School. Please drop your donation off in the church entry way. We will bless them during the Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 23, at the 10:30 worship service. All donations need to be new.
 


Sunday School and Wednesday Faith Night Registration Begins Saturday, August 22

Registration for the 2015-2016 Sunday School and Wednesday Faith Night classes will be held Saturday, August 22, Sunday, August 23, Saturday, August 29, and Sunday August 30, before and after all worship services. You may also fill out the registration form online and bring it with you to give to Rachel. The form is located on the website under Family Ministry/Children and Family Ministry/Forms and Policies and can be emailed to Rachel at rachelcorpus@faithlc.org or printed and returned to the church. This will be available on Wednesday, August 15.
 

Confirmation Orientation  
  
  • Confirmation Orientation will take place on Wednesday, September 2, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Faith. Attendance is required for all 7-9 grade confirmation participants and their parents! Remember to bring cash or check for fees. Confirmation classes begin the following Wednesday, September 9.



    • Children and Family Ministry End of Summer
    Bash For All! 

    Join us at the Children and Family Ministry End of Summer Bash on Sunday, August 30, 11:30-1:00. We will be serving hot dogs, playing games, touring the Sunday School rooms and more. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Please contact the church office if you plan to attend. Come and enjoy lunch, fellowship, and fun!


    Time for Picture Directory Photo Update

    It is time to get the photo directory updated. If you missed the last photo session or if you have joined in the last two years, we would like to get your photo added to our directory. LifeTouch will be here on Wednesday, October 14, from 1:00-8:00 p.m. You will receive a free 8x10 photo just for having your portrait taken. You can schedule your photo session by using the link on the website or contact Miranda in the office. All members who have a photo directory will get an insert with the new photos to add to their book.


    Youth and Family Ministry     

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    • Confirmation: Confirmation Orientation will take place on Wednesday, September 2, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Faith. Attendance is required for all 7-9 grade confirmation participants and their parents! Remember to bring cash or check for fees. Confirmation classes begin the following Wednesday, September 9.
    • 7th, 8th, and 9th Grades: Save the date! Our yearly confirmation retreats will take place the following dates: 7th grade: September 18-19; 8th grade: October 16-17; 9th grade: December 4-5. Retreats run Friday evening until Saturday late afternoon. Be on the lookout for more information via email and snail mail.
    • 7th Grade: We're still looking for volunteers to serve as confirmation small group guides! Contact Jake Bouma with any questions, then sign up here → http://bit.ly/SGGinfo15. Training for new small group guides will take place on Wednesday, August, 26 from 6:00-7:30 at Faith. 
    • 9th Grade: Don't forget to be on the lookout for an adult to serve as your confirmation mentor for the coming year! Once your mentor is on board, please instruct him or her to fill out the information form here → http://bit.ly/FLCmentor15
    • Senior High: Save the date! Faith is hosting a Lutheran College Fair on Sunday, October 11, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. During the event, you'll talk with representatives from the 41 Lutheran colleges and universities, and learn why the Lutheran college experience is unlike any other! The event is free to attend and there is no need to pre-register.
    • Confirmation Parents: Join our confirmation parent text message list! Joining is easy: Just text message FLCCP to the number 68398!
     

    Archived Faith E-news

    Did you miss last week's Faith E-news? You can find archived E-news on Faith's website under Archived  E-news button on the homepage.
      
    Do you have questions or comments regarding this publication?  Please contact Miranda at mirandakurtt@faithlc.org or 225-8334.  We welcome your feedback.