Faith E-news     December 11, 2015 

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Out-to-Lunch-Bunch 
Please join us at Waterfront in West Des Moines for lunch this coming Thursday, December 17, at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome! Please make a reservation with Kala at 225-8334 or kalazanoni@faithlc.org.
 
Faith Feast and Faith Night 
Faith Feast and Faith Night activities will not be meeting until after the holidays. All scheduled activities will resume on Wednesday, January 6.
   
Food Pantry Items for December are diapers, pull-ups, and formula

Adult Sunday School 
   
Sunday, December 13, the Reverend Sarai Schnucker Rice, Executive Director of Des Moines Area Religious Council, will be presenting. DMARC coordinates the largest food pantry network in Iowa and also the most efficient and healthiest food pantries in the country. Find out how they do it!

On Sunday, December 20, Jacob Bloom will lead our Animate Faith session on "Jesus: the revolution of love." Join us for a video featuring Mark Scandrette and lively discussion.
 

Faith Café Coffee/Treat Fundraiser on December 13

Youth & Family Ministry is hosting a Faith Café on Sunday, December 13. There will be a variety of hot beverages and baked goods for sale-this is in lieu of the coffee normally provided. All funds raised will be used for the 2016 mission trip to Minnesota's Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Please remember to bring cash or a check so you can support our youth while enjoying delicious refreshments!


New Ministry Assistant

Brady Campbell was recently hired to serve as Ministry Assistant to Rachel Corpus and Jake Bouma in the areas of Children & Family Ministry and Youth & Family Ministry. Brady, a graduate of the University of Iowa and future graduate school student, will be assisting in the classrooms on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, and will also be available to support other children and youth activities. We are grateful for the many gifts he brings to these important program areas. Be sure to join us in welcoming Brady!
 

Children and Family Ministry and Seeds of Faith Partner for
Family Promise Giving Tree

Family Promise assists homeless families with children through a network of local faith-based host congregations that provide clean, safe overnight shelter, and nutritious meals. Faith is hosting a family the week of Christmas. In partnership with Seeds of Faith, CFM will host a giving tree for this family. Please consider taking a gift tag star off the coat rack in the Commons and returning a gift under the tree for a family in need. Please return your wrapped gift (with the gift tag attached) under the tree gift no later than Sunday, December 20. Much like the food collection, the physical act of donating a gift under the tree is a simple act of love that our children can recognize and participate in over the holiday season. Thank you for your generous support. If you would like to learn more about Family Promise, I encourage you to watch this video: http://vimeo.com/97300099.
 

Year-end Contributions  

If you would like your year-end contributions to appear on your 2015 statement, please put your check dated 2015 in the offering plate by December 27; mail your check, making sure the envelope is postmarked on or before December 31; or bring your check to the church office prior to year-end. If you are planning to bring your check to the office, please note that the office will be closed on the following dates: Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, and Thursday, December 31. If you have questions, please call the church office.
 

Seeds of Faith Cookbook 

The Seeds of Faith Cookbooks are in! If you didn't have the opportunity to order a cookbook, you are in luck. We ordered extra and are selling them for $10.00 each on a first-come, first-served basis. The cookbooks features over 250 wonderful recipes from preschool families and members of the congregation. Contact Heidi LaBounty at seedsoffaith@faithlc.org today to reserve cookbooks. The cookbooks make great gifts for family, friends, and neighbors.
 

Grief Support Group 

The Grief Support Group will meet at the church Sunday, December 20, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Pastor Randy Olson and Barbara Cavallin, Ph.D. are the facilitators. Anyone who has lost a loved one: a family member, a friend or someone important to them is encouraged to come for this time of caring, sharing and prayer. It will be an informational as well as a support group. Please join us.
 

Cancer Support Group  

Cancer Support Group will meet at the church this Sunday, December 13, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Jan Stegeman, R.N. and Barbara Cavallin, Ph.D. are the facilitators. Anyone who is dealing with cancer, has a friend or relative who is, or is dealing with the loss of a loved one from cancer, is encouraged to come for this inspirational, compassionate, uplifting time of devotion, information, sharing, caring and prayer. If you have any materials that you would like to share with the group, please bring them.
 

 Mosaic Giving Tree 

If you removed an ornament from the tree for one of the residents of MOSAIC, thank you  so much! Please return your wrapped gift with the tag attached by Tuesday, December 15. Mosaic will pick up all the wrapped gifts on Wednesday, December 16.
 

 Thank You! 
 



A big thank you to everyone who helped decorate the sanctuary and bell tower. Your hard work and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated! The Sanctuary Enhancement Committee
 



 
 

Children and Family Ministry     

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December Parents' Night Out         

The December Parents' Night Out will be Friday, December 11 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. We will play Christmas games, decorate Christmas cookies, make a craft, and watch Christmas specials. You can have a night off or get your Christmas shopping done! There is no cost. We do accept a free will offering that helps to fund our monthly mission projects. This event is open to infants through sixth graders. We welcome help from seventh graders and older. Silver Cord hours are available. Please let the church office know if you plan to bring your child(ren).
 

Reminders         

 

  • Friday, December 11: Parents' Night Out from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 12: Lessons and Carols Dress Rehearsal, 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
  • Sunday, December 13: Lessons and Carols at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., No Sunday School
  • Wednesday, December 16: No Faith Night; Advent Service at 7:15 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 20: No Sunday School
  • Wednesday, December 23: No Faith Night

Youth and Family Ministry     

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Christmas Ornament and Candle Fundraiser  

Youth and Family Ministry will be selling Faith Lutheran Christmas ornaments and Gold Canyon candles on Sunday, December 6, 13, and 20, from 9:00-10:30 a.m. in the Commons. All funds raised will be used for the 2016 mission trip to Minnesota's Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Help support the youth and get a few Christmas presents in the process!
  

Ski Trip Registration 

Ski Trip Registration is open for the 9-12 Grade Ski Trip to Welch Village on January 17-18! Trip details-including schedule, cost, and how to register-are available online at http://bit.ly/skitrip16info. Contact Jake Bouma at jakebouma@faithlc.org if you have any questions.
 

2016 Youth Mission Trip Registration       

Registration is now open for the 2016 mission trip to Minnesota's Leech Lake Indian Reservation! Any Faith student (and their friends) currently in 9th through 12th Grades is eligible to participate in the Leech Lake mission trip, which is scheduled for July 9 to 15, 2016. To register, you must go to www.faithlc.org/youth-mission-trip to fill out the appropriate forms.
 
 

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.