Faith Lutheran Church
OUR MISSION ...
To make disciples for
Jesus Christ we
GATHER
in faith for worship,
prayer, study, and
fellowship
EQUIP
the people of God with a
faith that works in real life
SERVE
the world in the name of
Jesus Christ.
Inside This Issue
Worship Schedule . . . . . . . . . 2
Parish Officers . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Faith Family . . . . . . . . 3-7
Faith Event Highlights . . . . . . 4
Parish Ed News . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Children’s Page . . . . . . . . . . . 9
May Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 10
May Special Days . . . . . . . . 11
Prayer Ventures . . . Online at
www.elca.org/prayerventures
May 2015
uring the Easter season we hear
many stories from the book of
Acts. As we make our way
through the Lectionary readings, we are
gifted with multiple stories of the early
church. One characteristic of that primitive Christian
community was people's understanding of what it means to
be a steward.
D
I find it interesting to note the origin of the word “steward.” It
is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term “sty warden,” a name
for the person who took care of the pig sty! However, the
understanding and concept behind the term goes way back
to the Greek word “economos.” In the world of the early
church, the economos was a slave who faithfully served the
owner of an estate and was the caretaker of everything the
estate owner possessed. So, the term “steward” was used
by New Testament writers and evolved to describe anyone
who is the keeper of another's possessions.
In the life of the church, we use the word “steward” to
describe our relationship with God, the creator. As
Christians, we believe all that we are and all that we have is
a gift, a gift that comes from God the creator. In fact, in
Luther's Small Catechism we read, “God has created me
and all that exists.” As followers of the crucified, risen Christ,
we are called to be good stewards of the gifts we have been
given - of all that exists. We are called not only to
responsibly care for these blessings, but also use them
wisely. We are called to be good stewards of our time, the
relationships we have with others, our passions, our talents,
our energy, our way of life, the environment in which we live,
our very selves, and yes - our money.
The Stewardship Committee here at Faith Lutheran Church
has developed a plan where we will establish a different
(Continued on page 3)
May 2015
1
Worship Schedule
May 2015
ACOLYTES
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
Clayton Wenzel
Lauren Schultz
Kaela Sturgeon
Aiden Hanchett
Virginia Heft
Juliana Lewis
ALTAR CARE
Brielle Bowers, Heidi Bowers, and Karen Whitmyer
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
May 3
Harold Sollenberger
Rich Weingartner
May 17
Susan Heft
Diane Wilke
GREETERS
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
Ken and Ellen Milne
Harold Sollenberger
Martin and Kris Wright
Karen Whitmyer
Walter Kopf
Melinda Schultz
Bob Shorman
Corey O'Brien
Dick Knoll
Mike Eschelbach
LAY ASSISTANTS
May 3
Rich Weingartner
Walter Kopf
May 10
Jim Crum
Bob Nelson
May 17
Diane Wilke
Bob Shorman
May 24
John McPhail
May 31
Rich Weingartner
READERS
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
Harold Sollenberger
Karen Whitmyer
Jeff Rosenthal
Natalie Dingledine
Susan Heft
Melinda Schultz
Elaine Harrison
Jack Dingledine
USHERS
May 24 and 31
NURSERY
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
2
Harold Sollenberger
Dingledine family
Sollenberger and Dingledine
Beth Ballegeer
Jody Marquardt
Drew and Pam Williams
Connie Nelson
Becky Bills
May 2015
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
4515 Dobie Road
Okemos, MI 48864-2203
Office Hours:
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Phone: (517) 349-0620
Fax: (517) 349-5822
www.faithlutheranokemos.org
[email protected]
Ministers
All Members of the Faith Family
Pastor
Ellen Schoepf
[email protected]
Director of Christian Education
Melinda Schultz
Youth Leader
Director of Music
Deb Borton-McDonough
Instrumental Worship Leader
Bruce Williams
Church Secretary
Rita Barry
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Rich Weingartner
[email protected]
Mission Partner Congregation
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lansing
2015 PARISH OFFICERS
President
Linda Hirt
Vice President
Jim Crum
Secretary
Molly DeHate
Treasurer
Doug Hirt
Financial Secretary
Tom Schrote
Members-at-Large
Diane Flatley
Jack Dingledine
Past President
Walter Kopf
Caring
Ann Mayer
Evangelism/Outreach
Carol Towl and Gretchen Bills
Human Resources
Lee Gerard
Long Range Planning
Jim Crum
Membership Dev.
Marilyn Hogan
Mission Endowment
Parish Education
Heidi Bowers and Nina Schrote
Property
Nate Nelson
Stewardship Mary Ann Scheuerman
Worship & Music
Diane Wilke
Youth
Melinda Schultz
The Faith Family
(Continued from page 1)
stewardship focus each month of this year. You will be
seeing various messages and displays as we look at the
different ways in which we live into being good stewards
throughout the year. So, watch for information each month
as we develop a more holistic approach toward becoming
faithful stewards. Here is our list for the remainder of this
year:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
May: ELCA World Hunger - Everyone will receive a
Piggy Bank at the beginning of the month to return filled
to the brim on the last Sunday of the month!
June: LSSM - The director of LSSM will be with us for
worship and be our guest preacher on June 7. During
this month, we will also highlight the quilts members of
the congregation make for LSSM.
July: Christian Education - We will highlight what
happens educationally here at Faith, and we will also
highlight education in the greater church (colleges and
seminaries).
August: Meridian Community Resources - We will be
taking a special offering for this area program.
September: Pledge Drive - We will begin sharing
information about yearly pledging, our major focus for
the coming month of October.
October: Stewardship Pledging - Yearly pledging of
Time, Talents, and Money. We will also highlight the
quilts that will be given to Lutheran World Relief.
November: ELCA Good Gifts - As the holiday season
begins, we will focus on giving options through this
program.
December: Stewardship of Self - At a time when
giving becomes very materialistic in all of our lives, we
will focus on ways we give of our very selves. One of
the opportunities people will have as we live into this
focus will be caroling to area shut-ins and other
members of the congregation.
Stewardship is a year-round effort and a part of our daily
lives. It is a spiritual discipline and a mark of discipleship. I
look forward to discovering the ways in which we will grow
together as good stewards of all the blessings we have
been given by a various gracious God of love!
— Pastor Ellen
May 2015
Prayers for
Health and Healing
_ Members of the
congregation: Susan Heft,
Ken Kleimola, John
McPhail, Ellen Milne, Rose
Marie Nawrock.
_ Friends and family: Chris
Cotter, Heather, Krista
Finazzo, and Dick and Lil
Jennings.
Prayers of Intercession
_ Our mission partner
congregation: Lansing
Redeemer Lutheran Church
_ Those in military service:
Adam Wright and Lani
Yearicks.
Please contact the church office at
[email protected] or
349-0620 to update the prayer list.
The website for Prayer Ventures is
www.elca.org/prayerventures.
Prayer Ventures is a guide to daily
prayer for the ministries of the church
produced by ELCA Communication
Services on behalf of the whole
church.
You can read Prayer Ventures on the
Web, subscribe to daily e-mails of
the prayer for that day, and/or
access Prayer Ventures on your
PDA. . .or copies are available at
church on the table near the
elevator.
3
The Faith Family
Faith Night at the
Lansing Lugnuts
Worship at the Willows!
Beginning on Sunday, May 10, we will be facilitating a
monthly worship service at The Willows at Okemos,
4830 Central Park Dr. This service will be taking place
on the second Sunday of every month at 4:00 p.m.
Anyone from the congregation is invited to come and
participate as we worship with The Willows residents.
On Saturday, June 20, the Faith
family and friends will gather for
the Lansing Lugnuts game which
starts at 7:05 p.m.
This game will feature:
_ Christian Family Night!
_ Fireworks!
_ Lansing Lugnuts vs. Great
Lakes Loons.
It doesn’t get any nuttier than
this. There will also be peanuts,
popcorn, baseball, and lots of fun
with Faith friends!
Ticket order forms are in the
gathering area and the deadline
to sign up is May 18.
You don’t want to miss this event!
Social Justice Group Gathering
On Sunday, May 31, Pastor Ellen will be hosting a Social
Justice Group Gathering after the morning worship
service. We will discuss various ways in which we can
better live into God's dream of justice for the world, both
locally and globally.
Faith Family Spring Sunday School Picnic
Everyone is invited to the end of year Sunday School
picnic, which is on Sunday, May 17, after the 10:45 a.m.
service on the church grounds under the tent - weather
permitting. The hot dogs, brats, buns, and beverages will
be provided by Membership development. Ice cream will
be provided by parish education. Members attending are
encouraged to bring salads and other side dishes.
Faith Event Highlights for May
May Stewardship Emphasis: ELCA World Hunger
Sunday
May 3
Youth Group car wash
10:45 a.m. Confirmation
Sunday
May 10
4:00 p.m.
Willows at Okemos worship service
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
May 15
May 16
May 17
9:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Youth Group garage sale until 4:00 p.m.
Youth Group garage sale until 4:00 p.m.
Faith, Family, & Friends spring picnic
Synod Assembly begins
Monday
May 18
7:00 p.m.
Church Council meeting
June/July newsletter deadline
See the calendar in the newsletter or online at www.faithlutheranokemos.org for all the events!
4
May 2015
The Faith Family
Caring Committee and LSSM and You!
The Caring Committee is committed to reaching out to
help those in need in our community. Members of the
committee have talked with staff members at LSSM
(Lutheran Social Services of Michigan) and discussed
several different ways the Faith Family can become
involved in supporting the many programs offered
through LSSM. Please read about the two projects below
and prayerfully consider how you can help.
Prayer List
One simple thing that we as members at Faith can do is
pray. We all know and have felt the power of prayer
sometime in our lives. The names that we will be
providing to you to lift up in your prayers are the names
of children and young adults that are in the LSSM
adoption program, need placement, have aged out of the
program, and/or are in need of some sort of continued
assistance in their young lives.
Please look each month for new names to be printed in
our monthly newsletter. This month please pray for the
staff members at LSSM as they work daily to help and
support those in need. Also, lift up in your prayers these
children in need: Damon, Nishawn, Dylan, and Ashley.
Stock the Kitchen for LSSM
Young adults, families, and refugees beginning a new
life are in need of the supplies to help them successfully
achieve this goal. Please help them by participating in
our Stock the Kitchen Drive. We are coordinating this
service project with the support of our Vacation Bible
School program in June. They will also be asked to bring
items to Stock the Kitchen during the week long VBS.
Here are the items that are needed: cooking utensils,
wooden spoons, measuring spoons, spatulas, hot pads,
oven mitts, measuring cups, mixing bowls, small baking
dishes, cookie sheets, muffin pans, dish towels, and
anything else that you can think of that is used in the
kitchen. These items can be new or gently used.
May 2015
Sunday School Teachers
for 2014-2015
Thank you to all of the volunteers
who have stepped forward to
donate their time. We truly
appreciate your support. There
are still several positions
available, so please consider
helping. The curriculum is VERY
easy and the children are great.
If we have multiple teachers per
grade, it allows for some
flexibility on how often you have
to teach. We also need
volunteers to fill our substitute
list.
Pre-School
Still open
1-3 Grades
Nate Nelson
4-6 Grades (Trinity)
Kris Wright, need 2 more
(offered both Sunday and
Wednesday night, where a
meal is included).
7-8 Grades (Confirmation)
Ellen Schoepf, Connie Nelson,
need 1 more (offered both
Sunday and Wednesday night,
where a meal is included)
Youth (9-12 Grades)
Melinda Schultz
Children's Church
Nate Nelson, Connie Nelson
5
The Faith Family
Stewardship Focus for May
ELCA World Hunger
“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I
was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink I was a stranger and you welcomed
me.” – Matthew 25:35.
Some situations I have seen that have made
me think about Hunger in our own
communities and around the world:
_ I was on call at the hospital. It was around
10 or 11 p.m. I was grabbing a snack
before the next emergency surgery. A boy
who appeared to be 11or 12 was alone
and was ahead of me. Distracted, I paid
little attention. He said, “I'm hungry we
have been here all day.” He began
counting his change. He did not have
enough.
_ In the hospital cafeteria there was a
stooped old woman in the checkout lane.
She shuffled away from the cashier
leaving food behind and taking only coffee
with her. She did not have enough money
for all that she had wanted to purchase.
_ There was also a man with two elementary
age children in the grocery line. He was
having to decide what to leave behind
since his assistance didn't cover what was
going to be that night's dinner (I was in
line buying shrimp).
_ I have a son-in-law who worries about
snow days. Hopefully there would not be
two snow days in a row. And, hopefully not
6
one on Friday. He worries about snow
days because, as a principal of a junior
high, he knows HIS kids need the free
meals and snacks sent home for the
weekend.
Hunger is in my face. Hunger becomes
something that is up close and personal. My
stomach tightens. That is my first gut
reaction. I close my eyes and want to turn
away. But, we are called to respond and
make a difference.
This month our Stewardship focus is
World Hunger. I invite you to search for
ELCA World Hunger at www.elca.org to learn
more. Stewardship is about using ALL of our
resources. NOT just money. I might have
time but not money. Or, I might have money
but no time. And then there are talents! To
this day I have difficulty verbalizing what they
are. Nevertheless, I'm keeping my eyes open
to opportunities. Open to that inner,
sometimes annoying, recurring voice or
gentle call. If we can see the face of hunger,
not only in your backyard but also around the
globe, we are called to respond. And, by
joining together to address this problem, we
can do more as a group than we can if
working alone. Please consider giving to
ELCA World Hunger. Thank you people of
Faith.
Mary Ann Scheuerman
Chairperson, Stewardship Committee
May 2015
The Faith Family
Sixty Plus or Minus
Getting to Know Pastor Ellen
Stewardship Committee Update
Sixty Plus or Minus has a special guest for
the May 20 meeting and brown bag lunch.
That person is known to us at Faith Lutheran
as Pastor Ellen. You may not have had
opportunities to learn about her interesting
life. Join us on May 20 starting at 11:30 a.m.
for a brown bag lunch and get to know Pastor
Ellen more.
She has stories to tell about her earlier
career and previous positions, about her
family, how growing up in Muskegon as a PK
(pastor's kid) shaped her life. She especially
wants to share with us her commitment to
ONE, an international advocacy program that
has led to changes and improved lives
for many countries on the African continent.
Please put 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 20,
into your calendar, bring your luscious lunch
– and a friend! Beverages and desserts will
be provided and will make a delicious ending
to a fun lunch with your Faith friends! Be
sure to sign the RSVP list on the counter
near the sanctuary. See you on the 20th!
Each month this year has been designated
by the Stewardship Committee for a special
cause (i.e., April: ELCA Malaria Campaign
and May: ELCA World Hunger). The focus
for the month of June will be Lutheran Social
Services of Michigan (LSSM), the social
services arm of the church for both lower
Michigan synods.
This agency has 70 programs in 40 cities
and is the largest faith-based social service
organization in the state. Its ministry serves
seniors, children and families, and people
with disabilities as well as being actively
involved in refugee resettlement.
We will learn more about this remarkable
agency at 9:30 a.m. on June 7 when Pastor
Phil Hemke, Church Relations for LSSM,
brings real life stories and events of
happenings throughout the synod. Our
congregation is involved with making quilts
that are provided to refugees, with monetary
gifts that send children to Stony Lake Camp,
with resettlement and jobs for young
refugees in transition. One of our FLC
members teaches art to young
unaccompanied minors as she aids with
language and other needs.
Please do not miss this presentation to learn
the scopes of this ministry in your name.
LSSM's mission statement is “Serving people
as an expression of the love of Christ” – a
worthy calling indeed for each of us.
May 2015
7
Parish Ed
Last Day of
Sunday School
The last day of Sunday School
for this school year will be
May 17. Please join us as we
wrap up a wonderful year. We’ll
be celebrating with a picnic after
the 2nd service - around noon.
Parish Education will be
providing games and sundaes at
this event. Membership
development will be providing hot
dogs, brats, and beverages.
Please sign up to bring a side
dish and join us for the fun!
Graduation Sunday
If you have a college or high
school graduate, please let
Melinda know so that she may
include them during the service.
Letters requesting background
information for the bulletins will
be going out on May 6.
Vacation Bible School
“Everest”
Vacation Bible School will be
from June 15 – 19 from 9:00 a.m.
until 12:00 noon each day and is
entitled “Everest.” We have
several positions still available
for this very entertaining and
inspiring week, so please let
Melinda know if you are able to
help.
8
Parish Ed Upcoming Events
We are excitedly preparing to attend Summer Camp and
the National Gathering, preparing for VBS, and
beginning work on next year's Sunday School programs.
We always need volunteers, so please consider helping
out in any way you can. Please make sure to mark your
calendars with these upcoming dates:
Confirmand Dinner
YOUTH CAR WASH
Confirmation Sunday
Last Trinity/Confirmation
May 1 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
May 3 8:00 a.m. - Noon
May 3 10:45 a.m. service
May 13
YOUTH GARAGE SALE May 15 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
YOUTH GARAGE SALE May 16 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Panera Bread Trip
for 4th-8th grades
May 17 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Last day of Sunday School
and Picnic
May 18 12:00 noon
Parish Ed Meeting
May 24 10:45 a.m.
Vacation Bible School Preparation Day
May 30 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Graduation Sunday
VBS Set-up
June 14 9:30 a.m. service
June 14 12:00 noon - ??
Sunday School Classes and
Bible Studies for Adults
We would love to start a Sunday School Class for adults
and additional Bible Study Groups that meet in the
evenings. If you are interested in leading one of these
endeavors or participating in any way, please let Melinda
Schultz know and we can proceed in a variety of ways.
May 2015
Children’s Page
May 2015
9
10
May 2015
Report all meetings and events to the church office at 349-0620 or email [email protected]
Go to faithlutheranokemos.org for current calendar updates
Faith Lutheran Church Monthly Planner
May 2015
May Special Days
MAY
MARRIAGE
BAPTISM
BIRTHDAY
1
BELANGER, MARILYN
2
KADROFSKE, ELLIOT
MAGYAR, HEIDI
3
4
RANSOM, BRIAN & MICHELLE
WEBB, DANE
5
6
BAKER, PAM
YOST, EILEEN
MAGYAR, TIM & HEIDI
LEWIS, PAIGE
MAISNER, MIKE AND LuANN
MAGYAR, KATHRYN
SCHROTE, TOM & NINA
GRASSO, OLIVIA
7
8
SOLLENBERGER, LOIS
9
10
11
HOLLE, MARLA
BRINKMAN, HELEN
WINKLER, ERIN
CUNNINGHAM, JOHN
WEBB, LORI
12
SOLLENBERGER, HAROLD
13
KIDDER, MEGAN
KAPP, EMILY
WILLIAMS, PAM
14
McPHAIL, JOHN & SUSAN
ADAMS, ELIZABETH
KAPP, JEANNIE
15
16
HAREMSKI, JACKSON
17
MERLEY, RENEE
SCHROTE, JACOB
18
19
ADAMS, TODD & BLISSE
20
FRAME, ERIN
21
JACKSON, LORA
JONES, ETHAN
22
HOGAN, MARILYN
NELSON, PAUL
WHITMYER, KEN
23
THORN, MILDRED
24
ESCHELBACH, MOLLY
BOWERS, BRIELLE
25
26
27
BIETAU, CHUCK & NAOMI
28
29
MILNE, ELLEN
30
31
COTTER, KEITH
DATE UNKNOWN
BELANGER, MARILYN
BASHORE, TODD
WILLIAMS, PAM
HIRT, DOUG
May 2015
11
Faith Lutheran Church
4515 Dobie Road
Okemos, MI 48864-2203
(517) 349-0620
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 55005
Okemos, MI
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
May 2015
May Stewardship Emphasis
ELCA World Hunger