Faith E-news    April 1, 2016  

Quick Notes and Reminders    

Please check the calendar for more information.


Food Pantry Item for April is Cereal

Faith Feast 
The menu for Wednesday, April 6, 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).

Office Volunteers' Lunch
Come to Waterfront in West Des Moines for this lunch on Wednesday, April 6, at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome! Please make a reservation with Kala by calling 225-8334 or emailing kalazanoni@faithlc.org.
  
This Week's Ministry Blog 
 
 
 
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." - John 20:21-22
 
In the past 30 days, this congregation has participated in two major fundraisers for the upcoming youth mission trip to the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota: The Silent Auction & Spaghetti Lunch and, most recently, the Easter Breakfast. A significant portion of our costs is funded by these events, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support of mission trips like these from this community of faith.
 
With all of the time and energy spent on organizing these fundraisers, it is important to remember the reason we set out to do mission work in the first place. In a sermon meditation from 1940, theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflected on the words of Jesus from this week's gospel reading: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Imagining the community of disciples (minus Thomas) gathered around and listening to Jesus, Bonhoeffer wrote, "There is no community with Jesus that is not at the same time a call to service." That is, any community with Jesus as the center-like ours-is by definition called to service in the world. "As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
 
Then, immediately after commissioning the disciples for service, Jesus imparts on them the Holy Spirit. Why is this significant? Bonhoeffer writes: "The one who has fought sin and death, the one who comes forth from the battle won, from the resurrection morn, is able to bring the disciples what no human being could obtain: The Holy Spirit ... Only in the possession of the Holy Spirit can the work of Jesus be done."
 
As our 46 youth and adults prepare for our week of service this summer, we do so knowing that our mini-community within the larger community of Faith is one called to service and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And we do so with hearts full of gratitude for the support of our congregation in just one of the many and varied ways we live out the baptismal call to "Serve all people, following the example of Jesus."

Jake Bouma, Youth and Family Ministry Director 
 

Adult Sunday School 
 
On Sunday, April 3, join Pastor Randy in Messiah Hall room 202 for Adult Sunday School.

On Sunday, April 10, the topic will be Prison Ministry. The SEIA Synod is starting a prison congregation at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. Join us to hear about this exciting new ministry.
 
 
Women's Retreat Deadline    
 
Next weekend is the women's retreat.  If you are interesting in going, the deadline to register is Sunday, April 3!

The event  is Friday, April 8, from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 9, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  Cost is $30. Please submit your payment of cash or check along with your registration form which are available in the office.     
   

Book Club Kickoff   
 
Attention Faith readers! A group similar to our previous Books and Bites will be started this Spring. A kickoff meeting will be held Tuesday, April 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Sara Broadrick's home. Bring a list of books you have read and liked. We will also discuss the dates and locations of future meetings. For additional information, please contact Sara Broadrick at 528-6881 or sbroadrick75@gmail.com.
 

Marriage Encounter Dates   
 
Save the dates of Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 for an event guaranteed to be one of the best ways to keep the love in your marriage growing stronger. The Friday evening and all day Saturday schedule is a new option for busy couples. For more information, check the website: http://marriage-encounter.org/Affiliates/cime.htm.
 

Professional Development Trip to Asia     
  
You are invited to travel to China, including Beijing, Hong Kong, and Macao, in a tour that will include not only frequented tourist sites but also opportunities to visit with Chinese educators and officials. This tour is hosted by Mark Mattes and Dmitry Yarushkin, faculty members at Grand View University. The inclusive cost of trip (visas, airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, tour services, transfers, etc.) is $4,500.00 per person (prices based on 25 participants). More information can be found on at http://bit.ly/Grand_View_Aisa_Trip. If you have further questions or to reserve your space in the group, please contact Mark Mattes at mmattes@grandview.edu. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity.
 

Children and Family Ministry     

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Save the Date
VBS at Faith 2016
 

Vacation Bible School at Faith will be Sunday, June 12 - Thursday, June 16, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. for campers ages Prekindergarten thru Junior High. Registration for campers and volunteers will be released after Easter.
 

Youth and Family Ministry     

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SURGE    
 
SURGE is a local, two-night service-learning event (think "mini mission trip") with home base at the Gathering House. Students and adults alike will have opportunities to witness God's love in Christ through hands-on service projects throughout Des Moines, while also enjoying fellowship with their peers. All Faith students currently in grades 6-8 are eligible to participate in SURGE, which is scheduled for June 13-15 (Yes, that's during VBS. SURGE will be the only 6-8 grade programming during VBS, but they can still volunteer as helpers). The event will begin the evening of the 13th and end on the morning of the 15th. Please check the website for complete details and registration.
 



  • High School Seniors: Save the date! This year's Baccalaureate worship service and lunch is scheduled for Sunday, April 17! Fill out the online R.S.V.P. form at http://bit.ly/FLCgrad and be on the lookout for a letter in the mail with more instructions!
  • College Retreat: Registration is live for the College Retreat in Steamboat Springs, CO from July 28-August 1. It's open to all current college students and costs $200/person. Much more information is available online at http://bit.ly/FLCcollegeretreatFAQ, including an itinerary and registration information.
 

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Do you have questions or comments regarding this publication?  Please contact Miranda at mirandakurtt@faithlc.org or 225-8334.  We welcome your feedback.