Faith E-news    January 29, 2016  

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Food Pantry Item for January is juice in cans or plastic bottles

Faith Feast Menu  Februarys 3, will feature spaghetti. Faith Feast is served on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Come enjoy fellowship and a filling, healthy meal, all for only $5.00 per person ($4.00 for kids nine and under).
  
This Week's Ministry Blog
A Great Capacity   
 
 
There is a good amount of dust around here these days. In the busy activities of building walls in our unfinished spaces, we're naturally tracking dust from one end of our facility to the other. But the messiness is a sure sign that we are moving forward. After a successful capital campaign, getting bids and signing contracts, we are well underway in the construction phase of our projects. How exciting! The tangible work stands as signs of generosity, vision and community.
 
So many gifts are coming together so our ministry has the space to grow. Making the connections between the projects and the gifts of faith, hope and love are important in renewing our witness. Otherwise our activities lose sight of the greater purpose and the good reasons. The readings for this weekend bring an important word into this season of projects.
 
The apostle Paul gave powerful and persuasive language to a love which continues to inform us. The unfolding, surprising and resilient love we know in Christ constantly shapes not only our closest relationships but our community of faith as well. When Paul addressed the congregation of Corinth he was keenly aware of matters of tensions and disagreement that grew from competition there - the kind that makes comparisons whenever people come together. So he took time to define a love that has the capacity to hold up under such things without causing division. This is a love that impacts us in most tangible and practical ways. Remarkable!
 
The familiar chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 speaks to a love that is necessary to make authentic community not only possible but vibrant and transformative. Even now as we hear these familiar words we feel the wonder of such a gift, ever present and ever at the center of lives setting us free from the many things that disperse our energies away from what is ultimately important.
 
As I walk through the dusty halls and take in all the progress - I think about the way love comes toward us always forming faith and shaping the very character of our identity as the church. I think of the many and varied activities and the work of the Spirit that somehow pulls it all together in marvelous ways for us to see!
 
(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Pastor Randy
 

Sunday School
  
Be sure to come to St. Michael's Hall during the Sunday School Hour on January 31, for Camp Reunion Sunday. We welcome all ages from youngsters to retirees who have attended church camp. Enjoy s'mores bars and get acquainted with others who have attended Riverside or Lakeside Bible Camp. In addition, there will be a representative visiting from Riverside Bible Camp who will talk about all the programs the camp has to offer, no matter how old the camper! Parents, this is a great time to learn about opportunities for your children or whole family. Scholarships are available- see Rachel. In the camping spirit, our Sunday School kids will sing a camp song during the 10:30 worship.

On Sunday, February 7, the Guys Night Out group will be hosting breakfast from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., in St. Michael's Hall. Come enjoy breakfast and fellowship. The breakfast is in lieu of Adult Sunday School.
 

Walls, Walls, Walls!   

The walls are up in the music center, bathroom, and lower level room and the taping has begun. Next stop, the paint.

 
 

Thank You!  

Have you noticed changes happening at Faith? A huge "thank you" to Faith's Project Management team of Don Beck, Tom Quick, Ryan Larson and Corey Mineck, and to Amy Fetters for assistance with contractors. Also thanks go to the Sanctuary Enhancement Team, especially Noreen Hayes, for coordinating colors on walls, flooring, etc. Although still early in the process, the project is coming in within budget.
   

Nominating Committee is Looking for Candidates

Due to a misunderstanding, the children rehearsing for a talent show think they're going to meet a very big superstar during the actual performance. That's the premise of "Ultimate Superstar". Join us to discover the Ultimate Superstar and how we can share our talents for His glory. The "Ultimate Superstar" performances are at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., Saturday, February 6 and at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., Sunday, February 7.

Please note that the musical will be in place of the Saturday worship service and the Sunday 10:30 worship service.
 

Nominating Committee is Looking for Candidates

The Faith Lutheran Church Nominating Committee will be meeting soon to consider candidates for the following leadership positions. Terms for these positions will begin in May of this year. 
  •  Vice-president (two-year term)
  •  Treasurer (two-year term)
  •  At-large Council member (three-year term)
  •  2015 Synod Assembly voting members (four members, historically two from Council)
  •  Nominating Committee members (four members, one-year term)
  •  Audit Committee (one member, one-year term)
  •  Endowment Committee (one member, three-year term)
If you are aware of individuals who may have an interest and willingness to serve our Church in these roles, please reach out to anyone on the committee: John Sorensen, Chair; Terry Johnson; DeLane Duval; Jerry Grabau; Ryan Larson; Maddie Quick; and Ann Taylor.
 

Giving Thanks 
 
After four years as our Faith Feast Coordinator, Michael Hulett will be moving to Virginia with his family in April. We will send Michael, Kimberly and the girls forth with our blessings during worship on Sunday, February 21, and express our gratitude and well wishes between services in the Commons. We are grateful for all that Michael has done to bring the gift of fellowship to us through hundreds of healthy and tasty meals. And we are excited for this new chapter in the life of the Hulett family.
 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Talent Show
 
On Tuesday, February 9, a freewill offering Pancake Supper will be served from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a talent show following from 6:00 to7:00 p.m. All ages are invited to sign up with their brief act (five minutes or less). Email Pastor Sarah or sign up on SignUp Genius. And what does Shrove mean? If you come we promise to tell you.
 

Mother & Son Dance   

Want to have some fun and raise money for camp scholarships? Buy your tickets now for the annual Mother and Son Dance taking place on Friday, February 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public and all mother and son couples are invited. Couples can be grandmas and grandsons, special neighbors, aunts and nephews...you name it! Enjoy the sparkle and wonder of our winter season at this year's "Snow-Ball"! Each mother (or special friend) will receive a silk rose from her date, dance to a super DJ, play party games, and enjoy yummy refreshments. Tickets are available online , in the church office and before each of the musical performances on February 6 and 7. Want to help with this event? Contact Rachel. 
 

Seeds of Faith Fundraiser with Granite City
ALL DAY-Thursday, February 4
 
Enjoy a day off from cooking and support Seeds of Faith. All day Thursday, February 4, Granite City Food and Brewery will donate 20% of your total bill to the preschool when you present the flyer (located in the church office or you can download it). Take one for yourself and another to share with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers so we can get the word out on this great opportunity to raise money for the preschool! 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!
   

Heidi Larson's Consecration


Please join us in celebrating the Consecration of Heidi Larson as a Diaconal Minister on Saturday, February 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith. A reception will follow. A member of this congregation, Heidi serves the wider church as a Bereavement Coordinator and Chaplain with Unity Point Hospice in Urbandale.
 

Wednesday Night Lenten Series:
"I've always wondered,but was afraid to ask..."

Lent is a great time to explore our faith. So what are your questions? This year the pastors will spend Wednesday nights in Lent responding to your questions. Whether it is about the Bible, theology, where pastors come from, why bad things happen to good people-ask us anything! Please submit your questions via email to Pastor Sarah, or take a slip of paper from the pew rack and place your question in the offering plate. 

Children and Family Ministry     

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Baptism Orientation
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Parents who are expecting a new baby or who have new babies are invited to attend a baptism orientation. The next quarterly session will be held on Thursday, February 4, at 6:30 p.m. here at church. Please sign up for the class by emailing Kala at kalazanoni@faithlc.org or calling her at 225-8334.

Holy Communion Retreat and Holy Communion for All Ages   

communion We will hold a learning retreat on Saturday, February 27, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., for anyone wishing to celebrate their first communion. Though many of our backgrounds suggest that first communion occurs in the 1st grade year, we encourage anyone who is ready to receive their first communion to do so. Many children start taking communion at a younger age, and there are older kids and adults who would like to celebrate this milestone in their faith as well. If you or your children would like to learn about communion, regardless of whether or not you or your child have received communion in worship, we invite you to this morning retreat. Breakfast will be served. Please let Kala in the office if you plan to attend.
 

Youth and Family Ministry     

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Save the Date!
The 14th Annual Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch Youth Fundraiser is March 6 

Mark your calendars and join us for our annual mission trip fundraising event for the 50+ youth and adults traveling to the Leech Lake Indian Reservation this July. We are excited to offer another Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch on Sunday, March 6, but we need your help! Part of what makes our auction so successful is the willingness of the congregation to donate items to be auctioned. We've had people donate woodwork, art, skilled labor, gift certificates, and so on. Prayerfully consider how your passions and gifts can bless our youth ministry by donating new or like-new items and/or services to the auction.

Forms are available on the youth bulletin board in the entryway and can be dropped off in the church office. All donations are due by Wednesday, February 24. Thank you for your continued support!
 

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.