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FaithLines

FROM THE PASTOR

I want to share with you some excerpts from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s sermon at the opening worship at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly:

“Will we gather at Navy Pier for the tenth Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA out of our longing to be a settled church or out of our conviction that we are a sent church?

Sometimes I wonder-even worry-that for too many of us ELCA stands for ‘Expectations Low, Climbing Anxiety.’ A church body with low expectations for what the Holy Spirit is doing and can do in our lives and through our ministries…. Such a church body will be tempted to become a settled church - seeking some kind of equilibrium...to calm our anxieties and compensate for our low expectations of the Holy Spirit’s power, promise and presence.

A sent church will be a restless - not an anxious-people. A restlessness born of high expectations that the Holy Spirit is going to show up, and when the Holy Spirit shows up through the proclamation of good news of Jesus Christ, lives are changed, sins are forgiven, the alienated are reconciled, the poor hear good news, unbelievers come to faith, the sick are healed, the dead are raised, and people share in common all that they have, each according to their need.”

As I sat in Chicago at that worship service, my thoughts were not just on the denomination - our ELCA. My thoughts became much more local - as I thought about this congregation and then returned my thoughts to the preacher. I paid closer attention to Bishop Hanson’s sermon so I could pay closer attention here. And that evening, back in my room during my night - time devotion, I reflected on his words and his challenge (the whole sermon is available in my office if you wish to read it.)

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church has been in Mount Vernon since 1950 - a whole 57 years! It would be very easy to exist here as a settled church, with our building, grounds, routine, doing each year what we have done for years before, with low expectations and no anxiety, except for how to pay for it. Settled because we’re doing “enough”….settled because this is our comfort zone...settled because we’re afraid the Holy Spirit will come and shake us up and move us into change and a new and different future. A settled church puts its faith in the past and what has always been. A sent church puts its faith in a powerful and dynamic Holy Spirit, and asks “What might God accomplish with our shared leadership and our resources if we put ourselves, all we have and all we are, into his hands?”

I know one thing about myself - I do not want to pastor a settled church. Never have. Never will. Every congregation of God’s people is a mission congregation...a sent church into their particular community to be a place where “Holy Spirit life is happening.” We dare never get complacent about that. We dare never let that grow into our routine, rather that God’s leading. We dare never trade in faithfulness for complacency.

I am excited when we say “How can we make growing in faith exciting for young people?” And our answer is Bethlehem Village, or Galilee-By-The-Sea. And a lot more people grow in faith...not just our young people. I am excited when we say “How can we touch lives that are hurting in our community in a way that makes God’s love tangible? And our answer is a rummage sale that sends @ $4,265.00 to New Directions and a FUFF ministry that provide household items for people transitioning out of abusive experiences. I am excited when we say “How can we?” or “Is it possible?“ or ”Why don’t we?”….because that invites us to put ourselves, our resources, our faith in a powerful and dynamic Holy Spirit who is leading us toward a different future, not just for us but also for the community around us.

That’s the ministry I want to do here together with you as Faith Church. That’s the ministry I signed on for 26 years ago - to be a part of a sent church - Jesus’ own mission in a particular community - to be a place in this community where there is change, and joy, and excitement, and creativity, and initiative and a searching for God’s will and God’s purpose. I pray that is your passion as well! That together we, in God’s Spirit, be a dynamic place where lives are touched, sins are forgiven, the Christian life is modeled, and God’s grace meets other’s lives through us.

PASTOR AWAY

Pastor Mark will be away for study and personal time Sept. 24 - Oct. 9. Sept. 24 & 25 he will be at the Southern Ohio Synod Rostered Leader’s Conference at Deer Creek, then will be off for “parts unknown.” Pastor Chris Widrig will be the supply pastor Sun. Sept. 30, and Pastor Art Lund on Oct. 7. Pastor Lund will be on call for pastoral emergencies during Pastor Mark’s time away. We look forward to having Pastor Chris & Pastor Art with us, and pray a good time away for Pastor Mark.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Congratulations to Jason & Brandi (Canterbury) Kerr on their marriage Sept. 8 in the Stone Garden, Pastor Gene Leiter officiating. May God richly bless your new life together.

Congratulations to Jason & Amanda (Rardin) Peck as we celebrated the baptism of their daughter Madalyn on Sun. Sept. 16. May God bless your family as you move to England!

DEVOTIONAL BOOKS

Copies of Portals of Prayer and Christ In Our Home are available for Oct. - Dec. They are in the rack by the parking lot entrance.

FALL FESTIVAL TIME
(MOWANA & LMC Style!)

It is time for the Fall Festival and Benefit Auction at Camp Mowana on Sunday Oct. 7. From 12:30-5:30pm they will be serving roast pork, homemade pumpkin pies and other great food. There will be hayrides and pony rides, live music, pumpkin carving, petting zoo, obviously lots of activities for people of all ages! Admission and parking are free. All proceeds will be used to provide summer camperships. Camp Mowana is just north of Mansfield off US 42 north of US 30, turning right onto Fleming Falls Road.

And if it’s October, then it is also time for the LMS Apple Butter Festival and Silent Auction on Sun. Oct. 14. Enjoy live music, great food, hayrides and crafts. Hours are from 12:30-5:30pm. All proceeds will be used to provide summer camperships. Lutheran Memorial Camp is in Fulton, Ohio: Take 229 W. out of Mt. Vernon to where it meets Highway 61 just past Marengo. Turn right onto 61 and go north. Watch for the camp sign on your left.

FAITHS UNITED FOR FAMILIES

FUFF is having an ongoing & great need for single & double beds (mattress’s, box springs, head & foot board, frames) and a desperate need for air conditioners and a refrigerator. Also we are getting many requests for dressers & chester drawers. When you are at garage sales and see dressers & chester drawers in good condition under $25, please pick them up and FUFF will reimburse you. We deeply appreciated your continued support! We have now helped over 18 families. If you have questions, please call Linda Aikman at 397-2226.

MEN’S GOLF

We are meeting on Sat. Sept. 22 at the church at 8:30am for our golf fellowship at Hidden Holes in Fredericktown. Cost is $20 for 18 holes plus cart. Sign up on the bulletin board. If the weather is bad we will meet at the church to plan fall Men’s Fellowship activities.

CAMPBELL BAR CODES:

Thanks to everyone who is saving UPC bar codes for the Navajo Lutheran Mission School. They no longer want the front of the label, but just the bar code. Remember - Bush; Van Camps, & Kroger items are not Campbell products. For a complete list of Campbell items (Swanson, Prego, Pepperidge Farm, etc.) take an information sheet from the envelope in the narthex bulletin board, Question! Call Laurel Johnson, 427-3753.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Operation Christmas Child is in full swing! We are very excited as we begin another year in this ministry and anticipate the joy our church will bring to so many children. They will experience the love of God first hand through the efforts of OCC! Faith Lutheran Church has set a goal of packing 225 boxes from our congregation’s donations and funds (in addition to the personal boxes packed at home or by the community.) So many amazing donations have already been made to help us reach this goal and we are very appreciative! A list of “essential” items that we are still in need of is included in this Faithlines as well as posted on the bulletin board and will updated periodically. Donations can be put in the OCC “Drop Box” located in the narthex.

If you have participated in this ministry in the past by packing your own special shoebox to share with a child, we encourage you to do so again. It is a rewarding experience. Information on how to pack a shoebox , suggestions of what to include and labels can also be found on the bulletin board in the narthex. Empty, wrapped shoeboxes will be made available should you need them. These personal boxes will be collected on Dedication Sunday in November.

Thank you for your continued support of OCC. If anyone would like to be involved in this rewarding ministry, please contact Penny Daniels at 397-4057 or Gwen Tiell at 397-1546. Keep up the great work!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2007

Update of Items still needed to meet our goal of packing 225 boxes as a congregation on Nov. 11, 2007: (These are items we consider “essential” to every box!)

50+ Stuffed Animals

• Toothbrushes (Dollar Tree across from Lowe’s sells childrens’ at 5/$1)
• 120+ combs (Dollar General by Knox Cty License Bureau has them 20/$1)
• 200+ Bars of Soap (Ivory preferred)
• 150+ Washcloths
• Any schools supplies (boxes of crayons, pencils and 200+ sharpeners especially!) (Dollar Tree across from Lowe’s sells sharpeners 20/$1)
• Bandaids
• LOTS of Candy (hard candy, gum, suckers, gummy bears, etc. No chocolate) (****Think of us when Halloween candy goes on sale!)
• TOYS, TOYS, TOYS! (We are really trying to include some basic healthcare and school items but certainly would not want to send the boxes without a little fun for the kids as well!)

Miscellaneous needs:

• 500 snack size resealable bags
• Rubber bands

Any donations made between now and November 11th will be packed in our boxes and greatly appreciated. Thank you for keeping Operation Christmas Child in your thoughts, your hearts, and your prayers!

SHOEBOXES NEEDED

We are helping collect regular-size shoeboxes to help Ontario Free Methodist Church in Ontario with their OCC outreach in their children’s missions group. Please leave the shoeboxes on the desk in the Christian Education office in Room 214 upstairs. Thanks.

OCC COLLECTION CENTER MOVES TO BRANDON BAPTIST CHURCH

After 6 years of hosting the Collection Center here at Faith, the center will be moving to Brandon Baptist due to Mary Leigh resigning as coordinator. Thank you to all the many volunteers who have helped over the years and the congregation’s support of this massive task. Please be in prayer for the congregation of Brandon Baptist as they continue and grow this special ministry.

ADULT SEMINAR

Join other adults to discuss “Modern Parables” in Room 211 during the Sunday School hour. This class is discussion and fellowship oriented.

WOMEN’S FALL RETREAT

Please be in prayer for the leaders and participants October 19 & 20 as they journey to Camp Mowana and grow closer to God. All final payments are due by Oct. 5. Please make checks payable to Mary Leigh Wildermuth and leave them in the church office or give them to Jennifer Moore.
Ladies: Watch your mailboxes for last minute details.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Steve Johnston is leading a class on the book “Too Busy Not to Pray” by Bill Hybels during the Sunday School hour on the lower level. Join this group and grow closer to God and each other.

GRAHAM CELEBRATION

Be sure to join other Christians in the community at the Will Graham Celebration Oct. 5-7 at the Kenyon Athletic Center. This is an opportunity for praise and worship & renewal of faith in unity with others in the greater Knox Country community. Watch the Mount Vernon News for service times and special events.

CROP WALK

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, and spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

The CROP Walk will be held Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2:00 pm at the Kokosing Gap Trail. To walk or sponsor a walker contact Kathy Noblit at k_noblit@treca.org. Through this CROP Walk, let our love abound for all to see.

PILLOWS NEEDED

New Direction Women’s Shelter is in need of new pillows. Since they launder the pillows after each family leaves, they don’t hold up long and need to be replaced. If you can help please call Ina Schubert or leave pillows in church office with Jill.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES

PANTRY NEEDS

The ISS Food Pantry continues to have many requests for taxables. There is need for canned meat (spam, salmon), creamed soups, pork & beans, Jelly, tuna, shampoo, toothpaste.

PRAYER SHAWL THANK YOU

Dear Faith Church: The prayer shawl is so very lovely. The love and compassion sent with it is such a comfort. Thank you for the healing prayers. It is such a very special gift of love. Thank you…..Laurel Cody (Jill’s aunt)

THANK YOU

I would like to thank the family of Faith Lutheran, Pastor Mark & Mary Leigh for the thoughts, prayers & cards directed to me over the loss of my sister Ginny Conry...Sincerely Mildred Yates

GALILEE BY THE SEA (GBS) STAFF TRAINING OCT. 7 FOLLOWING THE 10:30 SERVICE.

We’ll make sure you know what to do and when to do it to make Galilee come to life and GBS a success. We’ll feed you a traditional Lutheran Luncheon - a little shredded chicken, a little Jello, and maybe some coffee - as we review how the program works. All volunteers are encouraged to attend. If we aren’t all on the same page, at least we can all be in the same boat! See Mary Leigh Wildermuth, Shelley Grubb, or Jennifer Moore to RSVP or if you have any questions.

COME TO GALILEE BY THE SEA

Come to Galilee By The Sea (GBS) during Sunday School every Sunday beginning Oct. 21 through Nov. 18. You’ll travel back into Bible times without leaving the fellowship hall!

Each Sunday you will become part of history as you see, hear, touch, and taste what it was like to live in Bible times. You’ll explore marketplace shops, visit the Synagogue, sing, dance, and sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about life when Jesus walker the earth. These experiences will make God’s Word come alive with new meaning for all who participate - ask anyone who was a part of Bethlehem Village last December.

Circle those Sundays on your calendar and be sure to attend - or you’ll be like a fish out of water!

HANDBELL SOLOIST MICHELE SHARIK

Heads up! Of course you’re planning to attend church on November 4, but here’s another reason to circle that day on your calendar. Worship will be enhanced with the handbell artistry of Michele Sharik at both 8 & 10:30 services. Michele is a member of Sonos, one of the nation’s premier handbell ensembles. She directs several choirs, composes, arranges, and boy, does she play. She will play prelude, offertory, anthem, and postludes accompanied by our own Fred Lewis at the piano.

PRAYER SOUGHT

This is the time of year when we are seeking individuals to serve in leadership positions, and drawing up the 2008 Estimate of Spending. We invite your prayers for wisdom and guidance for the Nominating Committee as they seek individuals for the vital positions of president and treasurer. Also for the Council as they discuss and finalize the Estimate of Spending for Mission and Ministry. Pray for God to open hearts and to prepare the people he is calling to leadership, and for God’s wisdom and vision to be a part of the estimate discussion and decision-making.

FUFF SILENT AUCTION

We apologize if we are the first to remind you Thanksgiving is in 9 weeks! On the Sunday following Thanksgiving, Faith’s United for Families (FUFF) will participate in the Christmas Walk. This will be our second Silent Auction and we will be located at the new COTC building. Please keep us in mind as you adjust to the new season and save an item (or two) for the auction. All proceeds will benefit New Directions. Watch this space for more information, and thank you in advance! Please contact Linda Aikman, Anita Anderson or Jane Stewart.

WOMEN’S EVENING STUDY GROUP

Women’s Evening Study group will meet Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 pm at Sips Coffee House. We will continue to discuss Greg Mortenson’s book Three Cups of Tea. All women of Faith are invited to join us for good food, good conversation, great discussions.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED

Church Women United of Knox County will honor Habitat for Humanity at a special Human Rights program. Everyone is invited to join with CWU on Sept. 27, 7:00 pm, at St. Paul’s Parrish House. John Darmstadt will accept the honor and give a brief presentation on the work of Habitat. Let’s say “thank you” to a vitally important outreach in Knox County and to all the individuals who give their time and talents to Habitat.

Attendance

THE NEXT FAITHLINES DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 21, 2007