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MAY

2018

Faith Lutheran Church

1187 C.R

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43420-9797

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Table of Contents

Pastor’s Letter------------------------------------------------3-4Did you know? (The Paschal Candle)-----------------------4Church Council Highlights, Project Linus------------------5Christian Sympathy, Altar Guild, Sat. ChristCare---------6Fellowship & Service, Transition Team, LIFT Softball, Dinner Church---------------------------7Box Tops for Education, Women’s Weekend Retreat----8FLCW News, Bridge of Hope Ministry needs-------------9Thank You Notes!, May Anniversaries--------------------10May Birthdays------------------------------------------------11Chicken BBQ, LIFT Bible Study, Faith Pause, Pam Kensler Office Hours, ProMedica Hospice-----12Noisy Offering, Luther Home of Mercy’s Auction & Dinner----------132018 Faith Filled Travelers Trips----------------------13-14Liz Curtis Higgs in Fremont, “In Good Hands”, “Clear-headed Faith”, Quotes-- - -15

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2018 Church CouncilPresident: Dave Kocsis Vice-President: Annie GazdeckiSecretary: Cheryl Durnwald Treasurer: Judi NeillElder: Randy Brown, Noelle LeuteneggerTrustees: Steve Harder, Mark Root, Ron Root, Steve DiekmanDeacons: Mike Fought, Nick Dymond, Scott Miarer, Randy KochEndowment: Cheryl Durnwald, Denny Fahle, Annie Gazdecki,

Stan Moyer, Gary Overmyer, Mike Schneider

The MessengerFaith Evangelical Lutheran Churchwww.faithfremont.org MAY 2018

Dear friends, Every few days I get a message on my cell phone:

Extend your battery life1 app is draining your battery. Tap here to resolve this.

In April we journeyed through Holy Week. We celebrated Easter and proclaimed “Christ is risen!”. We said good-bye to a dear friend and welcomed a new child of God through Baptism. We also began First Communion classes; worshipped; prayed; Sunday School, studied and made cards, quilts and health kits. It is definitely a busy month, especially in the midst of construction!

Think for a moment about the disciples. After everything they had been through, the disciples surely needed to extend their battery life. Jesus knew that. He promised to send them an advocate. He breathed his peace onto them. He sat as the resurrected Savior to prepare them for the journey ahead. The disciples now had a new task: to spread the peace and love of the risen Savior to all the world.

So what do you do to extend your battery life? Where do you find refreshment and renewal? When do you pray, read your Bible, and seek God face to face?

A child once asked me why some people were so quiet when they walked into the sanctuary. I explained that people like to pray throughout the worship service. Some arrive early to pray and prepare themselves for worship. Some people listen to the music and pray during the offering. Other people pray during the distribution of Communion. Her response: well, Pastor Juli, some people sure pray loud!

The challenge for each of us is to make time to extend our battery life. Jesus offers us peace. As brothers and sisters working together in this community we need to be in constant conversation with God and with each other. Do not the things of this world drain your battery? If there is a concern or disagreement, go directly to that person seeking to understand and be understood. If your schedule is so busy that you

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trudge through life exhausted, look at your priorities and let go of the things that may be good but right now are draining you. Make the time to rest in God’s presence to be refreshed and renewed.

Jesus promises to all who follow…

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:27 NRSV

May the peace of Christ be with you each and every day.

Blessings,

Pastor JuliDID YOU KNOW? The Paschal Candle is the tall white candle that serves to remind us of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Normally made of wax, the new candle is blessed at the Easter Vigil service as the new light is brought back into the sanctuary darkened on Good Friday. The paschal candle, sometimes called the Easter candle, should not be confused with the so-called Christ candle, which has no roots in liturgical history but is often seen at the center of Advent wreaths. Throughout the fifty days of Easter, the paschal candle traditionally stands near the altar as a symbol of the resurrection. It is lighted for each service during the great fifty days of Easter. (Easter is not over until Pentecost, the fiftieth day!) After the Day of Pentecost, the paschal candle is placed on its stand near the baptismal font as a visual reminder that, in our baptism, we are crucified and resurrected with Christ. The candle is lighted at each celebration of Baptism, at which time small baptismal candles are lighted from it for presentation to the baptized or sponsor. This act is a visual reminder of the integral connection between Baptism and Easter. For funerals, the paschal candle is lighted and placed in its stand at the head of the casket during the funeral rite. In a visual way, the paschal candle visually proclaims the message of Romans 6:3-5 used at the beginning of the burial liturgy: "In our Baptism we have already died and been raised with Christ."

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CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (APRIL 19, 2018): Pastor Juli will be leading First Communion Classes on 4/29 &

5/6. She is also leading a New Member Class on 4/29. Evangelism delivered the Easter Baskets to Eden at the Springs

and everyone was very excited to receive one. Thanks to all who participated in this project.

Council accepted Steve Diekman as trustee to fill the open position.

Bathroom renovations have begun and we are all excited to see the finished project.

SUPPORT PROJECT LINUS AT OUR 2018 SYNOD ASSEMBLY! Who: Get your whole congregation involved!What: Help us make patchwork blankets for Project Linus When: Start now and bring your creations to Assembly.Where: Your congregation, your homes, and at BGSU in June!Why: Help provide handmade blankets to "children in hospitals,

shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a “big hug” in Northwest Ohio!

It is clear that we have talented crafters in NWOS, and we want to highlight your gifts! We invite you to create blankets or squares that will be donated to the Findlay chapter of Project Linus.

What we need from you: Knit or crochet only please! Any color, any size yarn, any size

needle may be used. If creating blankets, feel free to be creative! Visit the Project

Linus website to view pattern ideas and requirements for blankets. If creating squares for patchwork blankets, please make sure

finished product is roughly 10"x10" to ensure easy assembly. All donated squares will be sewn into blankets, so the more the

better! If you prefer no-sew blankets, they are accepted and appreciated

too. Continued on next page You can drop off your completed blankets and squares in the

church office before June 7 and they will be delivered to Bowling Green.

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CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Jack Pollock. Jack passed away Tuesday, April 10th, 2018.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family of John Martin who passed away recently. He was Norma Willey’s brother-in-law.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Lori Avers who passed away in March. She was Dave & Barb Kocsis’s sister-in-law.

ALTAR GUILD For the month of April, the altar schedule was a shared work schedule, with Sally Sleek, Margie Roach, Linda Woessner and Mary Lou Cooper. Thank you ladies!

In May, Donna & Candice Fought and new member Ann Waggoner will be on the altar work schedule.

"Special" thanks to Toni Cooper, Nancy Root and Ginger Walker for the extra hands this month. Also, to our dough girl, Nancy Krumnow, for making the extra communion bread. Many, many thanks again to all those who ordered Easter flowers. Mary Lou Cooper

COME, JOIN THE CONVERSATION!! Our Saturday ChristCare group will join together beginning in May to talk about prayer using the book and DVD titled Too Busy Not to Pray. Bill Hybels will be conveying the importance of prayer and will encourage each of us in the knowledge that we can come to God – just as we are. In prayer we have Someone who we can talk to and that same Person listens. Come, make that decision to be a person of prayer. Are you already a person of prayer? Come, reaffirm that decision. Decide that prayer matters. Decide that your prayers matter. Decide that there really is a God who is willing and able to help you in your time of need.So we invite you to come and join the conversation on Saturday mornings form 9:00 – 10:30. Sign up on the ChristCare board so we can get your materials. Can’t wait to share this special time with you.

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FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE SEW DAY Come out and join the fun. We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month and begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm, but come and leave whenever you wish. We work on quilts, health kits and sewing kits. Greeting cards are made and are available for purchase in the Lounge for a donation. Come join the fun! You may help us out by donating any of the following items.Fellowship and Service Committee needs: Bar Soap – Gentle (Ivory), Bath-size Towels, Hand Towels, Metal Nail Clippers, Toothbrushes, Combs, Baby Socks, Baby Sweaters/Jackets (Light-weight)

TRANSITION TEAM The Transition Team continues to work on the Ministry Site Profile.  We have been meeting a few times each month and are nearing the end of the document.  We will be scheduling a Healthy Congregation Conference in the near future.  More details to follow.

LIFT SOFTBALL It’s that time of year again!! If you are interested in playing on the LIFT Softball Team, please contact Josh or Jacob Smith at 419-463-0246.

DINNER CHURCH! Dinner Church has been meeting each Sunday of April.  It has been a truly collaborative effort of LIFT as members of each church have hosted the meal and all of the pastors have shared in the celebration of communion each week.  I invite you to join us May 6, 13 or 20 from 6-7pm at Hayes Memorial United Methodist Church (1441 Fangboner Rd, the Church behind the "Y").  On May 20th we’ll share in a cookout to celebrate our worship experience in the Dinner Church style.  Please share this exciting opportunity with those you know looking for a place to worship and be in conversation about God while enjoying a simple meal; and watch for more details in summer newsletters about the plans for Dinner Church to continue!With you on the journey, Pam Kensler.

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BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION COLLECTION CONTINUES These box tops will be distributed at the end of the year among the schools that our children attend.  Each Box Top is worth 10¢ so let’s stop throwing this free money away and start supporting our youth and educators. We have already collected over 100 box tops for a total of $10.70. The goal is to reach 1,000

box tops (or $100.00) by the end of this year. We can do it! You may place your Box Tops in the yellow box located in the Narthex. If you have any questions please contact Miranda Garlock. PARTICIPATING PRODUCTS IN BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION Baking and Bakeware: Annie’s®, Fiber One™, Reynolds®Cereal: Annie’s®, Cheerios™, Chex™, Cinnamon Toast Crunch™, Cocoa Puffs™, Cookie Crisp™, Lucky Charms™, Nature Valley™, Raisin Nut Bran, Wheaties™Food Storage: Ziploc® - Frozen: Green Giant™, Pillsbury™, Totino’s®Cleaners: Lysol® - Meals and Sides: Annie’s®, Betty Crocker™, Green Giant™, Old El Paso™ - Paper Products: Kleenex®, SCOTT®Refrigerated and Dairy: Annie’s®, Pillsbury™, Yoplait®Snacks: Annie’s®, Betty Crocker™, Bugles™, Chex Mix™, Fiber One™, Nature Valley™Tableware: Hefty®, Kleenex® - Waste Bags: Hefty®For a more complete list you can go to: https://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products

WOMEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT - Calling all ladies who need a break (that's all of us, right?) - the "Called To..." Women's Christian Retreat is for you! Join the women of Solomon Lutheran Church May 18-20 at Inspiration Inn Bloom in Oak Harbor, Ohio as we dive into God's word to discover what God is calling you to. Enjoy delicious meals, gorgeous lodging, hot tub & spa services, meaningful Bible study, group discussion, art projects, and more! Cost is $275, which covers lodging, meals, and materials for the weekend. Act fast - there are only 25 spots available! Contact Emily Hemminger at ehemminger@solomon.pvt.k12.oh.us, or register at solomonlutheranchurch.com. 

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FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN NEWS

SPRING OUTING – MAY 19, 2018 The Women and Men of Faith Church are invited to see the play “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” directed by Randy Brown at the Fremont Community Theatre on Saturday, May 19th, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are Adults $15, Seniors $12 and Military $12. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the coat room area. We hope you’ll join us!

FALL OUTING – SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 We will tour The National Museum of the Great Lakes and Schoonmaker in Toledo, Ohio. Admission is $15.00 for both. Then we will have lunch at Tony Packos. MEN ARE INVITED ALSO!

The FLCW Board meets the first Monday of the monthat 7 p.m. at the church.

BRIDGE OF HOPE MINISTRY NEEDS Our pantry has been moved to a bigger brighter more inviting spot at Hayes Memorial UMC. We continue to help those in need in this area with clothing, food, Bibles and referrals to local resources. We also offer them fellowship and invite them to join one of our partner churches. Our Pantry is in need of the following items to help keep our Pantry full: Peanut butter, canned corn, vegetable oil (small size), pancake mix, syrup, ramen noodles, bars of soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, wash clothes, bath towels, noodles, stuffing, and toilet paper.2018 Bridge of Hope Events Learn English/Spanish Classes - Wednesday, 6 to 8 pm; Hayes

Memorial UMC – April 25 till June 27 (meals provided)Fiesta - Sunday July 8th, Hayes Memorial UMC, 12 to 5 pmWe will be looking for anyone who would like to volunteer...Eng /Sp classes-donate a meal for a Wednesday night classFiesta-help with run games, donate food, deserts, serve food , set up, clean upAnyone and everyone are welcome to attend any of these festivities.

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Thank you for all your help, Alamar Arriaga.

OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, LEADERS, LET US SAY ALL MEMBERS AT FAITH. Praise God, we are very happy to receive good news from Becky that you support us as students in Makumira Seminary, We thank you very much for your contributions, May  God bless you all. I hope you see our pictures. We Edda Mbwambo, Dickson Nyato, Judith SUMBE and Gershom Ngewe. Please send our greetings to all members and Leaders.

THANK YOU to Jim Smith for making a wood base for the new TV in the ChristCare room. Thanks Jim!

Happy Anniversary!

May 1, 2003 Mark & Katrina Fahle 15 yearsMay 2, 1987 Cheryl & Ron Durnwald 31 yearsMay 3, 2012 Carol & Leon Wattley 6 yearsMay 5, 1972 Letty & Thomas Rusch 46 yearsMay 8, 1981 Steve & Judy Mylander 37 yearsMay 14, 2005 Craig & Alison Copley 13 yearsMay 21, 1983 Gary & Michelle Root 35 yearsMay 22, 2004 Annie & Bruce Gazdecki 14 yearsMay 27, 1978 Rebecca & Thomas Sterling 40 yearsMay 30, 1981 Randy & Deb Pollock 37 years

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MAY BIRTHDAYS 2018

1 Ann Waggoner2 Randy Copley, McKenzie Schneider3 Ed Schneider4 Gabriel Sauseda5 Marilyn Klickman6 Jennifer Buchanan, Eric McBride, Marissa Robles, Matthew Robles, Wendy Root7 Robert Reed, Vicki Weickert8 Landon Riehle9 Ethan Fox10 Mark Root11 Susan Boyer, Estella Roberts12 Clayton Schwartz, Jennifer Topel13 Crystal Distel14 Mark Clark15 Graham Copley16 Sally Sleek18 Kyle Koch19 Bryan Neill20 Becky Dymond21 Nathan Clark, Brian Fox, Tessa Heckman, Michelle Root22 Robert Goehring24 Aaron Copley25 Billy Benson, Thomas Garner, Dennis Krumnow, Marilyn Mohr28 Wesley Thompson30 Andrew Garner31 David Kocsis

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DRIVE THROUGH CHICKEN BBQ   Friday, May 11th, 2018 from 11am until 1pm at The Liberty Center.  Advance purchase is recommended. Tickets are $9 each and can be purchased on line at libertycenterfremont.org through May 8th.  They can also be purchased during normal business hours at the Liberty Center, located at 1421 East State St., Fremont, or from a Board Member (Harry Aspacher 419-680-6382) until sold out.  Meal includes 1/2 BBQ chicken, baked potato, green beans, dinner roll, and condiments.  You don't even have to get out or your car!  Large orders can be arranged for pick up. Help support our local homeless shelter and get a great meal at the same time! 

ONLINE BIBLE STUDY LIFT offers a weekly Online Bible Study. A new topic is introduced each Tuesday with discussion shared throughout the week. You can join the group through the LIFT Facebook page. Starting Tuesday, April 10th, the group will continue conversation around the same videos shared during Faith Pause. A summer series will explore the Beatitudes.

FAITH PAUSE is an opportunity to pause and share in conversation with others after watching a short video connecting our everyday lives to our faith. The group is open to all, so please invite others!  To better accommodate schedules, Faith Pause will now meet only on the Second Wednesday of the month from 7-8 p.m. in the Youth Room at St. John's.  If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail Pam at pamkensler@gmail.com 

“OFFICE” HOURS Wondering where Pam Kensler, the LIFT Director of Discipleship & Outreach, has an office? Each Friday starting April 13th her office is an open table at Arby’s on State Street from 3-4:30 p.m. This is a great chance to learn about activities and plans for upcoming LIFT events! Feel free to stop and chat.

PROMEDICA HOSPICE is offering a healing journey Bereavement Support Group and a Connections Parent Support Group on Thursday’s beginning May 10th thru June 14th. Both will take place at The Eliza Ramsay Home, 430 S. Main St., Clyde, Ohio. The first is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and the second one is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please contact Melody Fryling at 419-547-6419 ext. 404019 or Melody.Fryling@promedica.org to register or for information. The flyers are located on the bulletin board by the kitchen.

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NOISY OFFERING UPDATE - “Change for Change”A total of $96.68 was collected in the month of April. Thank You! The next Noisy Offering will be May 20th, at both worship services. The Noisy Offering is given so Children from our Companion Parish of Bumila Lutheran Church have the opportunity to attend school in the Mpwapwa Region. Thank you for your support of the children of our sister congregation in Bumila, Tanzania.

LUTHER HOME OF MERCY’S 90 th ANNIVERSARY AUCTION & DINNER will be on Friday, May 11th, in the LHM Habilitation Center Gymnasium, 5810 N. Main St., Williston, Ohio. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:45 p.m. and live auction to follow dinner. Delicious dinner provided by Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed. Tickets are $20 or a table of 8 for $140 and can be purchased online at lutherhome.org. You may contact them at 419-972-4427 or jrollins@lutherhome.org

2018 FAITH FILLED TRAVELERS TRIPS CLEVELAND – PART 4 JULY 24, 2018 Another day trip will return to Cleveland, OH, our neighboring city. John, our guide, will recap the past three tours and will continue on with the history. We will have two meals included with this tour – so plan accordingly. Some highlights of the day are visiting Gordon & Lakeshore Parks, Dike 14, Millionaire Row Mansions of Bratenah., Whiskey Island, shopping at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, and Hingetown. Pricing includes all the above and is $110 per person with a $25 deposit per person due ASAP. Deadline is May 25, 2018. THEATERS, SHOPPING & CHOCOLATE - OCT. 30 –NOV. 1, 2018 This 3 day, 2 night trip will return us to the Sight and Sound Theater to enjoy their new play, Jesus, a play following the life of the most famous man who ever walked the earth. We will also enjoy another play, Sister Act, which is in a dinner theater format at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater. This play is also a musical, but is more “holy humor” than biblical. In addition to the plays, we will do a tour of QVC studios and Chocolate World and Hershey, PA. Included also will be 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 2 nights’ hotel accommodations.Pricing is per person and according to rooming type:Single $681 Double $565 Triple $521 Quad $502Deposit is $100 per person and is due ASAP. Deadline is August 19.

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MICHIGAN, THE WATER WONDERLAND STATE SEPTEMBER 18 – 25, 2018 – WE STILL NEED TRAVELERS FOR THIS ONE! This 8 day, 7 night trip will circle the state of Michigan to show the diversity of the state and help you discover something new. We will not include the Upper Peninsula on this trip. Our trip will include the following cities, Marshal, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petosky, Harbor Springs, Beaver Island, Indian River, Hillman, Frankenmuth, Dearborn, and Detroit. We will stay in 3 different hotels as we visit these areas. Attractions include a play at Turkeyville, U.S.A., Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Gerald Ford Museum, Robinette’s Apple Haus, Grand Lady Riverboat dinner cruise, USS LST 393 of WWII vintage tour, Music House Museum, “Mushroom Houses” tour, orchard tours, Kilwen Chocolate Kitchen tour, boat ride to a day on Beaver Island, Thunder Bay Resort stay with a gourmet meal, wine tasting and elk viewing, shopping in various locations, Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and Ford Rouge Plant tour, and a few other surprises.Pricing includes admissions, 7 nights’ hotel accommodations, 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, cruise and boat ride, luggage handling, and meal gratuities. Pricing is per person and is according to your room type.Single $2040 Double $1640 Triple $1490 Quad $1430Deposit of $100 per person is due ASAP. Deadline date for cancellation of trip is July 18th, 2018.

All trips depart from Faith Lutheran Church parking lot at 1187 CR 128, Fremont, OH. Questions? call Yvonne Vogel at 419-307-1774. All checks made payable to Yvonne Vogel and sent to 3401 W. State St. Fremont, OH 43420-9319

Deposits are due to make sure you are included in the trip(s) that you wish to enjoy.  Deposits are refundable up to the deadline date for the trip.

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LIZ CURTIS HIGGS author, speaker and encourager will be featured at Endless Hope on Thursday, May 17th, at 7 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 900 Smith Rd., Fremont. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more for $15 instead of $20. Music and worship by Austin & Lindsey Adamec. Please sign up on the sheet on the women’s board.

IN GOOD HANDS As Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, they were full of questions — “Where are you going? How will we know the way there? Would you please just show us the Father?” — and not very satisfied with his answers. So Jesus promised to send them “another Helper” (John 14:16, ESV). And we can almost hear them protesting, like kids bemoaning a favorite coach’s retirement or church members grieving a beloved pastor’s call to serve elsewhere: “Oh, great. Someone new for us to get to know. It won’t be the same. It won’t be you.” 

Except … the word another has two forms in Greek: “another just like this one” and “another, different version.” And when the author of John translated Jesus’ Aramaic into Greek, the first definition was the accurate one. Jesus was assuring his disciples they’d be in good hands, at peace and secure because the new Helper — the Holy Spirit — would be another just like him. 

—based on Fearless, by Max Lucado

CLEAR-HEADED FAITH Most often … worry is a lack of confidence in life, in its purpose, in God. Faith in life, in God, is native to the human spirit. … Worry is faith in reverse. Not only because most of the things we are anxious over never come to pass, but also because, when we worry, the most obvious things to do in our situation are overlooked. We should relax our tension by trusting God and putting at the disposal of that trust a clear head. 

—Howard Thurman, Deep Is the Hunger

“My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.” —Erma Bombeck

“The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on.” —Julia Alvarez 

“Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church

1187 CR 128 Fremont, OH 43420

Please call the church office if you needPastoral Care.

Church Office: 419-332-6820

Email: faithchurch@amplex.net Website: www.faithfremont.org Facebook: Faith Lutheran Church-Fremont, Ohio

Office Hours: Secretary schedule – Tuesday thru Thursday

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.Holy Communion Celebrated: 1st and 3rd Sundays

Sunday School for all ages: 9:15 a.m.

Newsletter Articles Due: 3rd Sunday of the Month

Mission Statement:Faith Lutheran Church exists to gather the

people to worship and praise God, to equip them in

faith,and to send them into the world to make a