Faith E-news September 4, 2015

Quick Notes and Reminders

Please check the calendar for more information.

Faith Feast Menu September 9

Taco/Mexican bar

Food Pantry Item for September is canned fruits and vegetables.
July Donated Totals were 179 items and $560.00

This Week's Ministry Blog
Still Unfolding

Mark 7:24-37

The routines of fall settle in once again. School is in session and summer activities are now behind us. We feel the pace pick up in the many programs of the church and we are back finding involvements - attention to matters of faith through congregational life. In many ways the energy feels good and we are ready to appreciate the very work we are called to be about in these days - together.

Especially we are mindful of the upcoming culmination of our RenewingFaith capital campaign. The campaign team has lifted up in ways of invitation and celebration what we can do together as the church to make a difference. The month of September will help us recognize how all of this relates to mission, renewal and the good work of sharing in the gospel! It has been a true source of encouragement to move into the future in this way - taking on the necessary tasks to foster the health and well- being of our shared ministry.

I am glad for the seasons of congregational life and for the dynamic gift of renewal. I think of Wendell Berry's words:

Calling again to mind

The grace of circumstance

Sabbath economy

In which all thought is song,

All labor is a dance.

(Timbered Choir; Counterpoint Press, Washington D.C., 1998)

Like always we work and share in a way that speak to our gratitude for the goodness we know in Christ. Shaped by unfolding grace and the sustaining ways of God's promises we are free to give with joy and gladness. In our Gospel reading for this Labor Day weekend, the response of those who witnessed the work of Jesus was described in this way: They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well..."

The response captures what our work, rest and prayers are ultimately grounded in!

Pastor Randy

New Faith Night Schedule

Faith Night starts Wednesday, September 9. Please note the change in times and locations.

5:00 to 6:00 Faith Feast (SMH)

5:00 to 7:15 Nursery Open

5:30 to 6:15 Confirmation Ringers (S)

5:45 to 6:15 Winds of the Spirit Rehearsal (AER)

6:00 to 6:30 Alleluia Choir: 1st through 3rd Graders (MR)

6:00 to 6:30 Messiah Choir: 4th through 6th Graders (AH104)

6:00 to 6:30 Good Shepherd Choir: PreKindergartner and Kindergartners (AH105)

6:30 to 7:15 Giggles & Grace: Ages 1 through 3 with parent (Nursery)

6:30 to 7:15 Good Samaritan: PreKindergartners and Kindergartners (AH102)

6:30 to 7:15 Believers: 1st and 2nd Graders (AH103)

6:30 to 7:15 Peacemakers: 3rd and 4th Graders(AH104)

6:30 to 7:15 Seekers: 5th and 6th Graders (AH105)

6:00 to 7:00 Adult Education: Making Connections (FLR)

6:30 to 7:30 Chancel Choir (S)

6:00 to 7:30 7th Grade Confirmation (SMH)

6:00 to 7:30 8th Grade Confirmation (MH201/202)

6:00 to 7:30 9th Grade Confirmation (MH203/204)

6:30 to 7:30 Brass Consort

7:45 to 9:15 Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) (GH)

Nursery Closed

The nursery will be closed Sunday, September 6, so the nursery staff can enjoy their family over the holiday.

Time for Pictures 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 to 8:00 p.m. You will receive a free 8x10 photo just for having your portrait taken. You can schedule your photo session by clicking here 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.

Thank You!

Seeds of Faith is so grateful for the support of so many members of Faith Lutheran Church who attended our fundraiser with Granite City Food and Brewery on August 27. Granite City was able to donate $633.00 to the preschool from its sales that day. We have two more Granite City fundraisers this fall on Monday, September 21, and Tuesday, October 15. Please consider supporting the preschool again by eating out at Granite City on those days. Between 12-15% of the total sales will be donated to Seeds of Faith when you show them the flyer. Look for more information in the coming weeks. Thanks again for your support of the Seeds of Faith Ministry.

Faith Members Featured in New Video!

Last weekend, the RenewingFaith team released a short, meaning-packed video. Please take a moment to see several of our Faith members sharing these great messages!

Ladies' Night Out

It can be hard to find time for yourself to build and nurture your friendships, but it is so valuable. Join us once a month for dinner at a local restaurant. It is a great time to build friendships as we share the ups and downs of life. All are welcome. Our next gathering will be on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Cool Basil in Clive. Please email Holly Meagher at meagher.holly@gmail.com if you can attend.

Faith Feast Wednesday Dinner Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help with Faith Feast dinners that start September 9. Volunteers are needed to serve and clean up for the wonderful dinner which is served 5:00-6:00 p.m. Each volunteer would need to work only five or six times during the school year. How the scheduling works:

Email a time slot that generally works for you on Wednesdays: 4:30-7:00, 4:30-6:00, 5:00-7:00, or 6:00-7:00.
A schedule will be created for the entire school year.
If you want to work with a particular person(s), state that in the email.
If you cannot work one of your scheduled Wednesdays, a substitute will be provided and we'll fit you in on another Wednesday.

It's simple to volunteer and while you are there, enjoy a great meal. Email or call Regina Nestingen at Reg.Nestingen@gmail.com or 988-7575 with a time slot that generally works for you and any known Wednesdays that you cannot work during the school year. It's that easy!

Fearless Faith Formation...for Adults

Beginning Wednesday, September 9, the adult education class begins studying Lutheran Confirmation. The class will be a hands-on investigative learning that leads to deep engagement with the Bible, church history, and Lutheran theology. Has confirmation changed since you were confirmed? Curious what Faith's confirmands are learning? We will also have opportunities to directly engage with the current 7th through 9th Grade confirmation students. Maybe they will teach us or perhaps we'll teach them. This will be an awesome time of discussion and reflection. Join us whether or not you have youth attending Faith Night. Hope to see you on September 9 at 6:00 p.m. in Faith Lights Room. Contact Jerry Waage at j.waage@mchsi.com with any questions. We're never too old/young to learn.

Children and Family Ministry

Sunday School and Wednesday Faith Night Registration

There is still plenty of time to register your child for Sunday School and Faith Night Classes. Paper forms are available on the registration tables in the Commons, or you can go to the website under Family Ministry/Children and Family Ministry/Forms and Policies and email them to Rachel at rachelcorpus@faithlc.org. Please consider volunteering for Sunday School or Wednesday Faith Nights. The volunteer vacancies are available via sign up genius.

Youth and Family Ministry

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.
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 to 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.