Summer Sunday School continues in August for

Preschool through 5th

Grade

Children begin at 9:30 am in the sanctuary for worship, then are dismissed with their teacher after the Children’s Sermon for class in the Fellowship Hall. Middle and High School students are welcome to assist in the Fellowship Hall.

The new Sunday School year begins on September 11 in the sanctuary with teacher installation at 9:30 am, then dismissal to the classrooms.

Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 14 ~ 9:30 am

Bring your school backpack to worship to be blessed during the Children’s Sermon!

August 2016

Preschool Sunday School Age 3 to Pre-K Parent & Child Orientation Sunday, August 21 ~ 9:30 am Godly Play Classroom (in the Preschool Hallway)

Meet your teachers - Christina, Alexis, and Ashleigh Farmer; enjoy a Godly Play lesson; meet other families!

Confirmation Update August 21~ 7:45 am to 4 pm

Low Ropes at Camp Wartburg (All Confirmation Students) Meet in the church parking lot. August 28 ~ 6 pm First Confirmation Class with Parents & Students

Acolyte Training Sunday, August 28 6:45 pm ~ Sanctuary

6th

Graders! ~ You are invited to come for acolyte training! Join the confirmation class in the Sanctuary.

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As we reach the middle of summer, we begin to prepare to get back into the full swing of our programming at Faith Lutheran. Added to our usual activities is a new project

called Vision 20/20. We are considering building onto our facility with the goal of completing our efforts by the year 2020. This is not a new idea. In fact, building onto our facility has been considered ever since I arrived at Faith in 2008. I can remember in 2008, immediately after receiving the call to serve as senior pastor, I was shown drawings of various building additions we were hoping to complete by 2014. These drawings were shown to me by the person who created them, one of our members at that time, Wayne Reber. Wayne was working with the Planning and Development board and has since moved away. For a variety of reasons, we never pursued this idea any further. There were a couple of times over the years when the Planning and Development board brought the drawings to council meetings with the hopes of renewing interest in building; but we chose not to pursue it any further. Recently, though, the idea has surfaced again and has gained a greater purchase on the imaginations of our leadership. Perhaps this is because the oldest part of our facility is showing its age. Perhaps, due to the growth of our programming, we have arrived at a point where our activities have outgrown our facility – at least to the extent that we notice it. Perhaps we are all just feeling that if we don’t do it now, we may never get another opportunity. Whatever the case may be, it seems like we are more ready to seriously consider moving forward on this than ever before. The one thing I feel is important in all this is that we approach our efforts for the right spiritual reasons. As the Psalmist put it: “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Ps. 127:1 NRS) There are many building projects that have been done throughout history for the purposes of human pride and self glorification. Even churches can be built for egotistical reasons. It’s like the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis, where the people conspired to build saying: "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Gen. 11:4 NRS) As we all know, God thwarted the effort by confusing their languages. It is not our name that needs to be glorified, but God’s. And when we seek to glorify ourselves, we only create divisions and confusion. God is the one who brings human beings together in peace. Whether you are building a church, building a nation, building a future, or building a family, the purpose needs to ultimately be on glorifying the God who is the creator of all things and the ultimate purpose of all things.

Perhaps no one has ever summed it up better than Jesus. At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds Continued on page 3

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“In my Father’s house there are many many rooms…” are lyrics to a song I learned on youth retreats to Carlinville and listened to on CD’s. Words that I always attributed to our heavenly home. Now, as I focus on Vision 20/20, I feel like this also talks about our church home, God’s house. What an opportunity you and I have to make a statement of faith, right here, in our city of O’Fallon. Growth is good, whether talking about business, family, church…. The Planning and Development board has researched and worked for hundreds of hours over the last 10 years to begin a process that will not only affect our community, but our world. As a Sunday School teacher for 12 years, I have personally witnessed the need for more space as we teach, sharing God’s message, discipling youth and adults. As a musician, space is also an issue, vying for space in the sanctuary or choir room, as we heed the call to a ministry of music. And as Council President, I hear of the numerous repairs needed in our buildings, to allow us to continue the wonderful community outreach that our church provides. Take a look at the weekly calendar in your bulletin and see what God is doing in our community. We have an opportunity to be a part of something BIG my friends. I ask that you pray about this. Ask God what His desire is for our church, for our purpose for His name in our community. Take the time, actually stop and reflect on what brought you here to Faith, and what He is asking us to do for His mission. God is good and will provide. Let’s work together, plant our mustard seed, and witness what God will grow! Andy Dichsen, Council President

blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.” (Matt. 7:24-25 NRS) Whatever it is we build, it must be built on the Rock which is Christ – which means, for the purposes of glorifying God and carrying out God’s mission and ministry to God’s people. And by God’s people, I would not restrict it to simply those who belong to the church. All people are God’s people and a church that is true to the purposes of Christ will open itself up to the community to reach out to all people. Our building serves our mission and our mission serves Christ. Only when we keep our spiritual priorities in order will our efforts avoid becoming an ego trip, but instead be a faith journey that brings glory to God and love to our neighbors. Peace and God’s blessings, Pastor Bob

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Grace and peace to you! I pray the summer has been a happy season for you! Among the many reasons to enjoy summer, I’ve been able to co-lead a Bible study on the parables along with Robyn Runyan. It has been a blessing to study the parables not just for the lovely company (though that’s reason enough), but because we so seldom get to concentrate just on them alone. Since we follow the lectionary with our worship readings, we will only get a parable here and there over the course of the year during sermons. So, it’s enlightening to read them continuously and steep ourselves in this powerful teaching tool Jesus employed throughout his ministry. One of the challenges of the Bible study is the same challenge one might encounter when hearing a parable for a worship reading—there is no context. For our readings, as well as for the Bible study, we simply extract the parable from the gospel, without reading it within its gospel context. The downside has two points as I see it: 1. Parables without context lend themselves to seeing Jesus as a simple moral teacher, someone who can tell a good story that makes you think, like Aesop. And 2. We can miss the broader vision of the gospel writer, who has certainly used the placement of the parable, along with other events in Jesus’ life, to speak to specific concerns and realities in his community. One of the most clear cut examples of these two points happening to a parable taken out of context is The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). If we just read this popular parable on its own, we might hear Jesus telling us all to reserve judgment on those we consider our enemies, because you never know when you might need help from a Samaritan (or a Muslim for us moderns). Our response? Well, thank you for that lesson, Jesus, I’ll do my best! But if you back up a chapter, you’ll read about the Samaritan village Jesus had to spare from his disciples’ wrath. In Luke 9:51-56, his disciples were so incensed by the village’s inhospitality that they asked Jesus if they could destroy it with fire! Jesus of course says, “Umm, no…” And then a few verses later shares The Good Samaritan parable. Suddenly, it’s clear Jesus sees the vast interconnectedness of all humanity, it’s more than one person helping another, it’s about protecting the lives of even the most morally destitute people in order that God might bless others through them. And what does that say about who Jesus expects us to care for? And what does that say about God’s salvation plans for all creation? And what is the gospel writer saying to his ethnically diverse community? Deeper questions, richer meaning…just by reading the context. So during this Bible study on the parables, one of the challenges I continue to pose to the group (which I’m sure they appreciate!) is to take time each week to read the few chapters that come before and after the parable. And it’s something I would challenge you all to do too with the weekly worship readings. The weekly readings are shiny gems peeking out from the text, enticing you to find the deeper treasure surrounding it. Happy reading! Peace & Joy, Pastor Candice

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Fall is in the air! Ok, I know, the temperature doesn’t say fall is in the air, but the buzz around the church office and amount of events being added to the calendar every day tells me fall is in the air!

You will see throughout this newsletter the new up and coming groups, Bible studies and events. As part of Faith Support & Enrichment Board, we are committed to helping our adult education and small group ministries bloom and grow!

On Faith’s webpage and in the narthex, you will find an adult education/small group brochure for the fall (http://faith-online.org/about-us/boards/lay-ministry/small-group-and-adult-education-ministries/). If you are looking for an educational and/or a small group to join, please check out the brochure…or just call and talk to me, I will help you make that connection.

Sunday morning adult education: August 21 at 9:30 am in the Choir Room ~ we are beginning a new adult study! Hosea-Unfailing Love Changes Everything by Jennifer Rothschild. This is an 8-week study that looks at the message given to us by God from the prophet Hosea. When you are looking for identity, God calls you His own. When you feel enslaved, God frees you. When you wander away, God brings you home. No matter where you are, God sees who you are and loves you faithfully. His unfailing love changes EVERYTHING.~

September 11 @9:30 in C1 Artful Prayer will start up again. Artful Prayer is a meditative approach to each individual person’s spirituality through guided imagery, drawing in small mandalas (circles) and/or writing on what has come during the meditation.

September 18 the 10:45 Sunday School class will begin a study of Islam. in the Martin Luther Library. The book used will be a 2011 textbook written by John Esposito, an American professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, titled Islam: The Straight Path. The topics include a history of Islam, the beliefs and practices of religious life, modern Islamic movements, religion and politics, and Islam in the 21st century. If you would like to be part of the class, or if you would like more information, contact Doreen Klages: 632-0448 or dlklages@att.net.

STOP

READ

1 JOHN: 1-7

PRAY

Continued on page 12

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FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT – WEEK 26 FINANCIAL STATUS

GENERAL FUND As of JUNE 30, 2016 2016 2016 26th WEEK Full Year ACTUAL BUDGET GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS Regular Envelope: Pledged* $250,135.40 $497,077.00 Regular Envelope: Non-Pledged $ 41,864.00 $ 92,000.00 Plate Offering $ 4,986.81 $ 10,000.00 Building Rental Fees/Other $ 4,929.00 $ 8,200.00 TOTAL INCOME $301,915.21 $607,277.00 BUDGETED EXPENSES $277,524.52 $555,049.00 Benevolence at 10.75% $ 31,926.02 $ 64,401.00 TOTAL EXPENSES $309,450.54 $619,450.00 VARIANCE $ ( 7,535.33) $ (12,173.00) NOTES: Our General Fund giving as of June 30th shows a negative variance of ($7,535.33) as compared to budgeted expenses. The $250,135 of Pledged giving represents over 100% of Pledged giving expected per budget. Compared to last year at this time, in 2016 we have received $12,554 more in plate and envelope giving, (about a 4.4% increase). DESIGNATED/RESTRICTED Funds (Highlights Only)So far this year we have also received donations into our Designated and/ or Restricted funds of the following: $1,240 for the Food Pantry; $2,960 for the Love Fund; $5391 for Faith Concert Series; and the June Noisy Offering raised $663.28 for Feeding Nicaragua.

Average weekly attendance to date for 2016: 289 Average weekly attendance to date for 2015: 283 Respectfully Submitted, Jan Mikkelson, Financial Secretary

Treasurer’s Report June 2016

* Income includes Budget Add-ons, Allocated Add-ons, Thrivent Choice, and Interest ** Expense includes Discretionary, Fixed and Benevolence Expenses Account balances as of 30 June 2016 were:

First Bank Checking Account $178,680.49

Regions Bank Savings/Checking $ 32,776.46 (Endowment Fund)

Merrill Lynch Investment Account $ 52,486.82 (as of 07/01/2016) The allocated fund balance totaled $ 210,312.65. The General Fund balance was $21,990.20. The principle balance for the Church mortgage is $301,669.01. Additional information: - Noisy Offering: $663.28 was received for Feeding Nicaragua. - Outward Ministry Board made a Local Benevolence Distribution: $1,500 to Feeding Nicaragua $500 to Beacon $750 to Habitat For Humanity $500 to NiCE $500 to Parents As Teachers (PAT) $1,000 to Love Fund $200 to H.I.S. Kids Respectfully submitted, Susan Carlson, Treasurer

Budgeted Income*

June Income*

Year to Date

Income*

Percent Received

607,277.00 45,026.81 308,984.35 50.9%

Budgeted Expense**

June Expenses**

Year to Date

Expense**

Percent Used

619,452.00 49,744..09 299,805.85 48.4%

Over (Short)

Over (Short)

Over (Short)

(12,175.00) (4,717.28) 9,178.85

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Health Concerns: Don Hubert, Emily Wood, Alison Gill, Oscar in Nicaragua, Ross Hall, Larry Osborn, Olivia Schmidt, Ruth Harrison, Marty Gallagher, Catherine Pritchett, Brian Kohnke, Debbie Eisele, Jeffrey Melanson, Walt Marvich, Carmen Zambelli, Mark Courtney, Rev. Dean Phillips, John Puricelli, Logan Durre, Jean Baker, Emme Lankheit, Sandra Allen, Terry Mikkelson, May Curran, Esther Updike, Pam Dauphin, Marie Harvey, Don Johnston, Kristin Barkley, Don Holmgren, Dick & Carolyn Rawlings, Wilma Schwarz, Joanne Bowley, Franny Osborn, Dennis Buske, Barbara Wassell, Shirley Markee, Carolyn Brown, Dawn Leaderbrand, Michelle Middendorf, Jerilyn Schmidt, Jill Johansen Hastey, Linda Cipfl, Brian Thomas, Janet Munie, Marie McClung, Pat Hrasky, Herb Halwachs, Marge Guilleman, Paul Ahlvin, Charis Van der Platts, Shirley Dauphin, Ricardo Cabrera, Rachel & Polly Markus, Ralph Ferguson, Patricia McDonnell, Paul Bilyeu

Grieving: Jim Campbell & family, loss of sister Bill Souser & family, loss of sister Charles Gerth & family, loss of grandmother Kristi Pulcher & family, loss of mother Erika Lane & family, loss of grandfather Dawn Cooper & family, loss of great-aunt Roy Carlson & family, loss of sister-in-law Mary Shirley & family, loss of aunt Jill Johansen Hastey & family, loss of father Family & friends of Julia Flor Family & friends of Karen Rader Family & friends of Shirley May Rod Brown & family, loss of father Mary Shirley & family, loss of father Diana Heerdt & family, loss of mother Patty Rensing & family, loss of mother-in-law Stacie Dichsen & family, loss of grandfather

Birthdays 08/01 Rachel Brock, Ashleigh Farmer 08/02 Garrett May, Anne Siron 08/03 Daniel Dowling, Trent Baer, Nicholas Carducci,

Barb Dibble 08/04 Kie Zelms, Seth Mack, Elijah Baer, Katie Berry 08/06 Andrias Souser, Zachary Bell, JoAnn Downs

08/07 Carol Patterson, Caleb Engel, Nathan

Cokenour 08/08 Joe Heerdt, Steve Fager 08/09 Roy Carlson, Kelly Siron, Kristen Schauble 08/10 Holden Fulcher, Braden Pulcher, Keith Hollis,

Ellen Filkins 08/11 Sophia Watson, Lydia Watson, Jacob Horton 08/13 Mark McClung, Doreen Klages 08/16 Marla Hostetler, Brock Green, Luke Kelchen,

Liam Souser 08/17 Calla Hyatt, Molly Melzer, Amy Pekala 08/18 Mary von Kauffmann 08/19 Cathryn Wolf 08/20 Becky Filkins, Ethel Klusman, Beth Schuck 08/21 Tammy Watts 08/22 Wendy McDonnell 08/23 Patty Boatman, Jim Andrew, Gabrielle Wolf 08/24 Jayden Bowen 08/25 Elmer McKean, Ron Zelms, Debbie Thompson 08/26 Denise Knolhoff 08/27 Jaylynn Meyer, Jacob Benedick, Sarah Voss,

Adeline Harper 08/28 Tony Carducci, Dan Cummins 08/29 Brad Mayfield, Alexis Brunner 08/30 Michelle Cozadd, Leonard Wojtysiak, Janet

Alexander, Lauren Graham

Anniversaries 08/02/1997 Craig & Jennifer Ord 08/04/2012 Jared & Kristin Runyan 08/05/2000 Nathan & Robyn Frederking 08/05/1972 Don & Paulette Schafer 08/05/2006 Beth & Scott Schuck 08/06/2005 Denise & Ron Dauphin 08/06/1988 Joseph & Shirley Marcin Sr. 08/07/1993 Del & Leslie Fulcher 08/09/1997 Tanya & Steve Pyrdeck 08/11/2000 Jerry & Sharon Bowen 08/15/1992 Scott & Mary Framsted 08/17/2002 Pete & Nicky Casberg 08/18/1984 Dan & Karen Cummins 08/23/1969 Jack & Diane Riling Jr. 08/26/1989 Gregory & Kenda Wunder 08/28/1972 Steve & Vicki Fager 08/31/1974 Frank & Carol Bandre

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Greetings and Happy Summer! We have a lot of things going on between now and the beginning of fall and want everyone to

know about it! Summer Sunday School has continued to be so much fun. New teachers every week keep it exciting. Our youth have also stepped up to the plate and tried their hand at teaching with great results. We have a Family event scheduled on August 14. This event will start in Sunday School and continue in the afternoon from 2-4. We will be competing against ourselves and each other with javelins, races, and much more! The contact for the games is JoAnna Espique and Kristin Runyan. Our other event planned for the summer is the Annual Church Picnic on September 11. The church will provide burgers and hot dogs if you will help with potluck sides. We will again be playing slip -n- slide kickball and croquet. We plan on having a mini slide for littles ones and small pools to be used with parental supervision. The white tent will be up and the fun begins after the planned outdoor service that morning. A sign-up sheet will be at the welcome center starting August 28th. The contact for the picnic is Traci Joyce. Sunday School officially kicks off September 11! So come “Back to Church” ready to meet your teachers at the 9:30 worship service - both children & parents! Prayers and Blessings ! Traci Joyce Youth Faith Formation Board

Nursery Donations Needed!

The nursery currently has need for donations of supplies. Some of the items needed are:

baby wipes goldfish cheerios

Dixie cups Lysol wipes

Any donation of these items would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off in the nursery. Thanks in advance for your support to help make the nursery a success.

God Bless, Kristin Howe

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August News from PYC… It has been a busy summer around PYC with summer camps full of children each month and families visiting our program and enrolling for Fall. Our program is continuing to fill and I expect to enroll a few more children in the next few months. It has been exciting to see Faith’s ministry to young children and their families continue to grow so that we can do more of what God is leading us to do every day. Maybe you have noticed some changes going on in the halls and on the walls? We have been working hard to give our school wing a facelift---a little freshening up goes a long way. If you get a chance, come down and take a look! We have been receiving positive feedback from families who stop in and notice how light and bright everything looks. We are also getting ready to start the new year! We will begin

with a teacher retreat on August 18. We always look forward to coming back together as a staff and using the time to encourage one another as well as touch on a few topics in regard to appropriate practice in early childhood education. We will have a few work days to prepare the classrooms and then welcome the families back on August 24th! Our month ends with a Nature Explore Workshop for the staff. This training will help us work towards becoming a nature-certified school utilizing our outdoor classroom! Can I ask you to remember us in your prayers? It means so much to us to have your support in prayer, words of encouragement and other ways! We really do appreciate each and every member of Faith who sees our program as a part of their ministry too.

In humble service to Him,

Kim Lloyd,

Director

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I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the volunteers and members praying for a successful VBS. Even with power outages mid-week, we served 43 families and a total of 70 kids throughout the week! We packaged just shy of 5,000 meals with NiCE and made blessing bags

for our military, made handprint molds, decorated tee-shirts, walked on water, learned about Jesus, played with a parachute, played drip, drip, drop, and we ate some tasty and healthy ocean-themed snacks! This is just a sampling of all of the fun activities we did! I went into this year planning on it being my final year in leadership over VBS, so if you are interested in becoming part of VBS leadership for next year, please contact P. Candice or me so we can get you on board! Again, thank you for all the help, thoughts, and prayers throughout this week!! Kristin Runyan

Vacation Bible School

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Evening Bible Study/Small Group: Fit4God - Our Fall Bible Study will be Made to Crave by Lysa Turkhurst. We will meet on Weds. evenings starting Sept. 14th 6pm. Join us as we journey toward healthy living in honor of God. Women's Bible Study - Katie's Table will begin a 12 week Bible study of Famous Jerks of the Bible by Margaret Buchanan Brouillette on Sept. 12th at 6:30pm. Small Group/Support Group: Alpha will begin on September 26th @ 6:00pm. The Alpha course is an opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a friendly and fun way over the course of about 12 sessions. Each session begins with a group/family dinner at Community Meals followed by viewing a short video and ending with discussion in small groups. Contact Carol Bandre at 618-566-7860/618-580-4593 or Michael Pritchett at 624-6927 for more information and/or to sign up. When you sign up, please let us know if childcare is needed. New Groups that are possibly forming: I have also heard from a few leaders who are looking to start new groups in January. The Totzkes are looking to have a Financial Peace University group in January 2017 and John Knoebel is planning a stained glass group starting in January 2017, too. Other groups continue…

· Men’s Square on Wednesday mornings,

· Needlecrafters on Tuesday evenings,

· LWR quilters/tying nights on the 1st Tuesday of the month,

· 5th Monday Ladies Night Out,

· 60+ group lunches on the 3rd Monday of the month,

· Bridge Club,

· Camping for Labor Day weekend is coming up,

· Military Support Network which kicked off this summer,

· Mothers in Fellowship,

· Soul Sisters which meets the 3rd Friday of the month,

Continued from page 5

Continued on page 13

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In June the Food Pantry spent an additional $12,869.10 for extra food. 313 families were served; 631 were adults and 290 were children, making a total of 921 served. The pantry was open 12 days in June.

The pantry thanks everyone who helped us with food items and bags. Please remember that only non-perishable food items and paper and plastic bags should be placed in the little red wagon in the foyer. If you have non-food items that you wish to donate to the township’s monthly garage sale (that benefits the Food Pantry), please take those items directly to the township garage in back of the township building.

God’s Blessings, Marj Ballard

· Women’s Book Club which meets the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Speaking of 5th Monday Ladies Night Out – our next adventure will be on Monday, August 29th. We will meet at Marilyn Campbell’s home. Bring a dish to share and join us for an evening of ladies time. Marilyn is fortunate to have a lake behind her home so plan on dipping a toe in the lake, swimming, fishing, kayaking or just hanging out with some wonderful women and enjoying our sisterhood. All women over the age of 18 are invited. Contact Janet Hernandez in the church office if you are interested in attending…though No RSVPs are required.

- Janet Hernandez

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Music Opportunities LIKE TO SING? Contact Robyn Runyan if you are interested in singing in our fun and faithful choir!

LIKE TO RING? Celestial Sounds handbell rehearsals are every Tuesday at 5:45 pm beginning August 30 in the Sanctuary. This group includes adults and high school students.

If interested, please contact Robyn.

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SAVE THE DATE! August 21 at 9:30 am in the Choir Room as we begin a new adult study! Hosea-Unfailing Love Changes Everything by Jennifer Rothschild. This is an 8-week study that looks at the message given to us by God from the prophet Hosea.

When you are looking for identity, God calls you His own. When you feel enslaved, God frees you. When you wander away, God brings you home.

No matter where you are, God sees who you are and loves you faithfully. His unfailing love changes EVERYTHING.~

Mission Minute

Did you know? There are several congregations supported by the ELCA composed of immigrants from Africa working and contributing to our communities in places like Austin MN, Fort Worth TX, and Pennsylvania. These ministries are meeting and thriving in local ELCA church facilities.

Thrivent Financial is trying to give $$$ to individual congregations and charities. Thrivent Action Teams can provide $250 to a fundraising activity. We estimate Faith Thrivent members could get over $50,000 each year to support the congregation, our outreach activities, and other community causes. Faith members have already supported Habitat for Humanity O’Fallon, Unity Lutheran School, and Be Like Jesus events. In addition, each Thrivent member is allocated Choice Dollars which can be directed to the members’ choice of charity. Check out these opportunities on www.thrivent.com.

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Myth: A person without health insurance can’t afford to get treatment for depression. TRUTH: Even if you don't have insurance or a primary care doctor, there are plenty of professionals who can help you find low-cost or free resources. Try visiting a Community mental health center, university-affiliated health center, employee assistance program, faith-based clinic or clergy, family & social service agency or social worker, free health clinic.

LWR Quilters August 2 at 6:30 pm, E4

Same time, same place, but different agenda! For one meeting only the LWR quilt team will be coordinating fabric colors, pressing remnants, cutting squares, and assembling top kits. (If you've never participated in tying night, that activity is also available.) Supplies to bring (if you have them) include iron, (travel) ironing board, rotary cutter(s) or scissors, cutting boards, and rulers. We also have a special need for at-home volunteers to sew 192 pieces of 6" square tops. Refreshments. Call Louise Peterson if you have any questions.

10:45 Sunday School Class to Study Islam The 10:45 Sunday School class will begin a study of Islam on September18. The book used will be a 2011 textbook written by John Esposito, an American professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, titled Islam: The Straight Path. The topics include a history of Islam, the beliefs and practices of religious life, modern Islamic movements, religion and politics, and Islam in the 21st century. If you would like to be part of the class, or if you would like more information, contact Doreen Klages.

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Our family joined Faith in the spring and I wanted to share with everyone a serving opportunity that I love. I began working at the State Park Food Pantry (SPFP) two years ago to do something meaningful in an underserved community. My family had PCS’d here earlier that year with the Air Force (Ryan has 24 years Active Duty). As I set about reconstructing my life for the 12th time I was ready to take on a new challenge.

I have been a “professional volunteer” since our kids were born in 2000 and have worked with many church, school, scouting and other organizations. SPFP allows me to use my Spanish (I lived in Mexico and have a Spanish degree) and other skills to live into God’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. In addition to providing food to our clients, we hope (and pray) that our behaviors encourage individuals who don’t often live in positive relationships with the world around them. Alfa and Omega (A&O) is doing impressive things in an often overlooked and disparaged community that’s just down the road from Faith; their courage and commitment to creating God’s garden in their community is truly life-changing. I encourage all of you to learn more about its challenges and prayerfully consider helping out in whatever way you are able (see info below). I am happy to talk with you about my experience there and help you get involved. - Becky Mantz

The State Park Food Pantry is an outreach ministry of Alpha and Omega Christian Fellowship (AOCF) that has operated for approximately 30 years. Volunteers serve low income people who live in State Park and the Village of Fairmont City and they love serving in this ministry! Clients may shop at the pantry once per month and are given meat,

produce, dairy, bakery goods, canned and frozen foods, and when available, personal care items. Everything is donated by individuals and other organizations or is provided by partnerships with Madison County, Operation Food Search and the St. Louis Area Food Bank. They serve an average of 85 to 90 families monthly.

This ministry doesn’t just feed clients, but builds relationships and shows God’s love to people. Volunteers assist with food selection, help find needed resources, and share in peoples’ lives-laughing and weeping with clients as merited. They provide a safe space for people to be, listening to personal stories, encouraging and often praying with and for people.

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The Food Pantry is staffed by volunteers, many of whom are clients, and all donations are used for food and operating expenses. They’ve been blessed with a building that they’ve been renovating over several years using donated funds, materials, and labor. The operation has recently grown again and is in need of more help! If you’d like to be involved, we gratefully welcome your help and/or donations. You can send contributions to: State Park Food Pantry, 3301 Harvard St, Collinsville, IL 62234 or contact

Linda Gilliam, Pantry Manager, at pinknana6@att.net or Nancy Moss, Pantry Director, at nancy.aocf@sbcglobal.net to talk about volunteer opportunities. There are many! The pantry is open on Monday mornings for client services from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. but crews work almost every day during the week with food pick-up, shelf stocking, warehouse management, cleaning and maintenance. Please join us as we work to fulfill God’s call to love our neighbors as ourselves. You will love it!

ALPHA will begin at Faith on Monday, September 26, 6:00-8:30PM and meet every other Monday. The Alpha course is an opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a friendly and fun way over the course of about 12 sessions. Each session begins with a group/family dinner at Community Meals followed by viewing a short video and ending with discussion in small groups. Some of the topics include:

· Who is Jesus?

· Why did Jesus die?

· How can we have faith?

· How does God guide us?

· How can I resist evil?

· Why and how do I pray?

· Why and how should I read the Bible?

If you would like to explore questions like these then Alpha is for you! Contact Carol Bandre or Michael Pritchett for more information and/or to sign up. When you sign up, please let us know if childcare is needed.

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We are a group of individuals who come

together in Bible Study, support,

and encouragement for a healthy lifestyle

honoring God.

Our Fall Bible Study will be Made to Crave by

Lysa Turkhurst.

This will be a DVD study. We will have 6 books and

4 study guides to loan out. If you would like your

own to keep copy, it looks like Amazon has it the

cheapest.

We will meet weekly for confidential weigh in, Bible

Study and sharing of the success and struggles of

maintaining a healthy God honoring life.

Class starts Wednesday September 14th 6-8pm

6 Week Bible Study Childcare available upon request

Faith Lutheran Church Youth House

RSVP to the church office @ 632-5562 or

Ruth Addison or Diana Heerdt

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Aug 1, 8, 15, Community Meals at 5:00 pm in the 22 & 29 the Fellowship Hall. Aug 2 LWR Quilters at 6:30 pm in E4. Aug 3, 10, 17, Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 am at 24 & 31 Cracker Barrel. Aug 3, 10 & 17 Parables Women’s Bible Study at 10:00 am in E4. Aug 4, 11, 18 Divorce Care at 6:00 pm in the & 25 Martin Luther Library. Aug 9 & 23 Needlecrafters at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Lounge. Aug 10 Win-Me at 7:00 pm in the Library. Aug 13 Congregation Work Day at 8:00 am Aug 14 & 28 Scrip Order Sunday. Aug 14 Blessing of the Backpacks. Aug 14, 21 & 28 SPARX at 6:00 pm in the Youth House. Aug 15 60+ Group / 11:30 am /O’Charleys.

Aug 16 NAMSWI Peer Support Group at 7:00 pm in the Youth House. Aug 19 Mothers-in-Fellowship at 9:15 am in the Narthex and E2. Soul Sisters at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall . Aug 20 Sunday School Classroom Work Day at 9:00 am. Aug 21 Newsletter Deadline Today! Aug 23 Book Club at 7:00 pm in the Library. Aug 27 Small Group Leader Retreat at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Aug 28 Noisy Offering Aug 30 5th Monday Ladies Night Out at 6:00 pm—off site. Aug 31 Newsletter Assembly at 11:00 am/