February Newsletter Check out what we've been up to this month |
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Our Gratitude Dear Friends, Thank you for the cookies and song on a very cold day in the Poconos! Nice to see friend! Happy New Year. Love, Karen and Ed |
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Our Gratitude Thank you for the lovely prayer shawl. God has been taking really good care of me. At no point did I have any breathing difficulties. I'm pretty much back to where I was before COVID. My love to you all. Shirley Fowler |
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Thoughts from your Council President There is an old saying that goes something like this, “you never appreciate something until it’s gone”. How very true. Sitting in the sanctuary on Sunday and looking around I started thinking about what was missing. People. I miss the people. The sanctuary just seems empty nowadays. The chance to chat and catch up on what’s new. So many of you I have not seen in ages.
Then there is the singing. I really miss the singing. Even the ones that I have no clue about how it goes. Lifting our voices in song and praise is such a part of the service. Wishing everyone peace from a distance is not enough. I miss being able to touch a hand for a handshake or give someone a sincere hug. People are social animals after all.
And then there is Pastor North. Who could have anticipated that she would get sick and be away for so long. We all are holding her in our prayers and wishing for a speedy recovery. I know she misses us.
With God’s grace, all these things will return soon. In the meantime, appreciate what you have. We never seem to do this until it’s gone.
Your Council President,
Michael Gillis |
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Faith at WORKYour Witness and Service Committee has been hard at work this winter and we thought you would want to know! First: Thanks to Barb Kresge and Lois and Don Childers for setting up our “Apple Fest” items for Christmas sales – thanks also to all who contributed. Money raised was $675.00. Second: Church Change cans were prepared again by Don Childers and as of the end of December, $278.33 was raised! Third: The Bake-less Cookie/Cake sale organized by Lois and Don raised $350.00. Forth: Our Care Team has sent out about 8 prayer shawls and many cards – we are planning ‘call arounds’ to those who may be isolated. Thanks, Barbara Fox for keeping those prayer shawls mailed to those celebrating, ill or just needing a prayer hug! Fifth: Thanks to Phil and Ruth Newlander for setting up the SOUPER BOWL board! We raised $519.00 for the TOMEC (our local) Food Pantry. Our Church Council approved that we would raise that money in honor of Shirley Fowler’s 95th Birthday! It was a great celebration! Our work continues but we need you – To let us know if there is someone celebrating or ill and in need of prayer hugs! To let us know if you would like a friendly phone call once in a while! IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION about a shut in or if there is someone who is ill - PLEASE send that information (or call) to: Barbara Fox foxygram@ptd.net Home # (570) 646-7322 Peggy Rapp drpeggy09@aol.com Home # (570) 646-6380 MANY THANKS. We pray for all of our Sisters and Brothers in FAITH. Peace, Peggy Rapp Council Member for Witness and Service |
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2021: A Year for Wellbeing “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” –Isaiah 40:31a |
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The Covid-19 pandemic has endured far longer than anyone imagined, and it has left us feeling stressed, weary, fearful, frustrated, angry, isolated, and dislocated. Many are simply depleted. Even in normal times being a good steward of our personal health takes time, vigilance, commitment and discipline. The pandemic’s protracted disruption has made it especially hard to take care of ourselves at the very time we need it most. Because it will take months for the coronavirus vaccine to be widely available, and even longer for “normal” to return, it may be wise for God’s people to designate 2021 “The Year of My Wellbeing” and focus on our health. Our spiritual, mental, emotional wellbeing are interconnected. Working on any one of them will improve the rest. Working on all of them will help you maintain equilibrium as we live into normal. Here are some ideas to help you make a wellbeing strategy: Ask God for help. Don’t go it alone! Work with friends for mutual support. Tend to your spirit through Scripture study, devotionals, worship, and, most importantly, prayer! Make quality time for loved ones. Do something just for you. Stuck? Talk to a counselor. Exercise regularly. Eat healthfully. Practice stress-reduction techniques.
The pandemic will end, rest assured. When it does, we will all be greatly relieved. In the meantime, making 2021 “The Year of My Wellbeing” will help you stay strong. –Rob Blezard © Copyright 2021, the Rev. Rob Blezard. Reprinted by permission. serves as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, MD, and works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org. He blogs at www.thestewardshipguy.com |
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Faith’s Sunday School Plan for Winter/Spring 2021 |
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After Faith Sunday School children and their extended families provided their stunning BOOMWHACKER debut video of “The First Noel”, directed by our amazing organist and choir director, Molly Finkbiner, we have decided to expand our music capabilities by purchasing a full two-octave Boomwhacker set of tubes, including sharps and flats! Molly has already prepared the scores for “This Little Light of Mine” and “Jesus Loves Me”, plus some upcoming Easter music. Practices with children and ADULTS resume weekly on Wednesdays, at 4:00 p.m. in our Sanctuary, masks and social distancing required. Please join in to learn and make beautiful church music together. Sunday School Take Home lessons will be distributed after Wednesday practices or mailed directly to the children who are unable to attend practice. Wednesday Take Home Lessons in February is focused on Jesus’ early life, as studied in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is the 17th of February. During Lent our four Sunday School lessons will focus on our curriculum purchase from last year: Resurrection Eggs Perfect Eggsample Eggstreme Trouble Eggstraordinary Love, and Eggciting News.
Easter this year will be celebrated on Sunday, 4 April. We will follow Easter with studying Jesus’ Parables, again from our curriculum purchased last year. When the COVID crisis abets and our children return to school full time, we will return to Sunday School on Sunday mornings again, with Boomwhacker practice preceding class time. Our Sunday School teachers remain committed to teaching and loving our children, and we gratefully thank them: Lois Childers, Bob and Gail Crownover, Molly Finkbiner, Tom Hutton, Janice Neagle, Phyllis Nutt, Pastor Debby, Carol Ray, and Judie Tim. Respectfully, Judie Tim |
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Red Cross Blood Drive Next Blood Drive Wednesday, March 10, 2020 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm Faith Lutheran Church 550 Route 940, Blakeslee PA 18610 Please continue to use masks and social distancing. Thank you for all of your dedication and blood donation during this pandemic. Please read the Outstanding Award Letter from the CEO. | | |
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To pre-register your appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). There are donation eligibility requirements by donation type. Please click on the link below for Eligibility Requirements. |
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Congratulations! To Phil and Ruth, in honor of their newborn granddaughter, Marielle. To Glenda and Roy, celebrating Devon's 50th birthday. And for all those who are celebrating their birthday and wedding anniversary in February. Cheers to you. |
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To sponsor your bulletin and flower date and dedication please email me at moquendo@faithlutheranblakeslee.org |
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The National Lutheran Choir Winter Virtual ProgramSunday, March 14 – 4 pm (CDT) View it free of charge at https://nlca.com/. The National Lutheran Choir will be holding a Winter Virtual Program blending songs, images, hymns and poetry. To read more details of "Hope Lives" program click on the link https://nlca.com/winter2021. |
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Synod NewsMarch 2021 Check out Growing Young! What is Growing Young? It is a movement in NEPA and throughout the greater ELCA and beyond that is based on a book of the same name.... | | |
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Home TouchScripture Reading: Genesis 9:8-17 Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. —Maya Angelou For I am convinced that neither death nor life, … nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:38-39 NIV | | |
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