January 2021 "Voice of Faith" - This is my Son with whom I am well pleased - Faith Lutheran Church
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Voice of Faith Newsletter
Faith Lutheran Church and Preschool
2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton PA 18040
610-253-1625
faithlcms@outlook.com
This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:17
January 2021
“Voice of Faith”
Our Mission: “Reaching, Teaching, Serving, and Sharing Christ”
FAITH CHURCH LEADERS
Interim Pastor Rev. David Demera
Director of Christian Education Alex Lillis
Office Administrator Jean Wehrle
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Phone: 610-253-1625
Email: faithlcms@outlook.com NOTE: Meeting dates, times and location may change.
Head Elder Gary Sandt Please call the contact below to confirm.
Council President Eric Himmelwright Due to Pandemic all meetings are tentative
Vice President Steve Baas
Council Secretary Nancy Smith YOUNG ADULT BREADBREAKERS
Financial Secretary Kyle Garon Eric & Becky Himmelwright
Treasurer Steve Fogt
PAUL MACHER’S BREADBREAKERS
Worship Committee Gary Sandt
3:00 PM 3rd SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH in FELLOWSHIP HALL
At-Large Cong. Members Lori Brewer
STEVE BAAS’ BREADBREAKERS
Lorraine Varela
Sally and Steve Baas
Boards MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST (Ted Cheung)
Preschool Elisabeth Brune
8:00 AM 1st SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH - Go-to-Meeting
Education Elisabeth Brune
Finance Steve Fogt THRIVENT (Gloria Miller) ___ _____________
Facilities/ CHOIR (Brenda Cavella) _____________________
Property Management Craig VanPell 7:00 PM TUESDAYS in CHANCEL on hold
Ministries BELL CHOIRS (Lori Brewer)
Children Jacquelyn Morrow MONDAY in PRESCHOOL ROOM
Youth Position Open Beginners 6:30 PM Advanced 7:15 PM on hold
Adult, Fellowship & Social Position Open ALTAR GUILD ( Lynn Klein)
Assimilation & Stewardship Position Open TEAMS CHANGE MONTHLY
Evangelism Position Open
WOMENS BIBLE STUDY (Karen Smith)
Choir Director Brenda Cavella
2:30 PM 2nd and 4th THURSDAYS in FELLOWSHIP HALL
Handbells Director Lori Brewer
Organist Sue Tucker QUEEN BEES (Judi Rabinsky)
Ushers Sally Ueberroth BOARD GAMES, CRAFTS and FELLOWSHIP
Custodians Heather Brown 10:00 AM 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in FELLOWSHIP HALL
Stephanie Altner LWML (Tracy Pioppi)
Security Greg Pioppi 3rd Sunday at 9:15 in the Sanctuary on hold
Scouting Program Coor. Greg Pioppi
Voice of Faith Gaye Lowe
HELP WANTED FOR VARIOUS TASKS
Social distancing will be observed.
Many tasks take only an hour or two. Some need a special
skill that you may have. Many times volunteers are needed
when there is an emergency, for example when the Mark your calendars!
basement flooded during the big rain storm. Friday, January 15th
Contact Craig VanPell (cvanpell@icloud.com, 484-241-7594)
and give him an idea of how you are willing to help. You are Please submit articles, updates
so very important to Faith and our ongoing ministry. & notes to Gaye Lowe no later
than January 15th for
NEEDED STORAGE TUBS inclusion in the
The bigger the better
Please contact Debbie - debio40@gmail.com February 2021
or Ed Hartzell - shihan10@yahoo.com Voice of Faith NEWSLETTER
610-844-5116
Rev. David Demera - Interim Pastor
HOPE IN A NEW YEAR
2020 started with much hope and expectation. February produced a blip called
COVID-19. Slowly everything began to change. This virus that started in China
slowly infected the world. Travel restriction followed as the virus spread on Cruise
line, which closed down that industry. Cases rose in Washington, California, and
New York. In these hotspots, hospitalizations and death increased. Medical personal
from all over the country came to meet the challenge of the crisis. The country and
the world were in the midst of a pandemic and panic. Businesses started to close, thousand filed for
unemployment. There were supply and food shortages in stores. Hospitals didn’t have sufficient PPEs.
People were angered and confused, clashing with one another. Gun purchases rose, as did violence and
division. National guards had to be called out to keep the peace. That was only the first wave! As we sit in
the midst of the second wave, we see loved ones dying alone. Families have had to tone down their holiday
gatherings and celebrations. Unfortunately there are some households where there are empty seats at
holiday meals because the virus has left its mark. In the midst of a time that is normally filled with joy and
hope, a dark pale of gloom and doom hovers over the country. Many have lost hope and are in a state of
despair. In the minds of many there are questions. When will this finally end? Is the vaccine a light at the
end of the tunnel? Will we survive this to see a better tomorrow?
Unfortunately this is a common story in a sinful world. There have been many other crises and we have
gotten through them by the grace of God. This has been part of our human experience. We know there is
hope in the Lord!
2000 years ago there was a week that started on a spectacular high. The Son of David had come to the city
of Jerusalem. The people of God had high hopes and expectations. The crowd was filled with shouts of,
“Blessed is He, who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, hosanna in the highest!” It seemed like the
start of a glorious week. The tide would suddenly change as the week went on. The Son of David was
arrested on Thursday evening. He had been betrayed by one of his followers. Jesus was tried by the Jewish
ruling council, condemned and brought to the governor charged with high crimes and treason. His
followers were shaken as they watched these events unfold and were helpless to do anything about them.
They saw their Lord and master beaten and brutalized by the Romans. The witness, the crowd turn against
him, shouting, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Judged guilty, Jesus bore the cross to Calvary. He was then nailed
to it and raised for all to see him disgraced by Rome. Over three hours they heard his words, observed his
pain, and watched him die. His body is removed from the cross as his mother and the others weep. The
body is taken to the tomb. It is not a Good Friday for them. The Passover Seder had to have been a sad
affair. Jesus was not with them at the table. How sad it must have been when the youngest child ask the
question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” In the follower’s minds, the thought might have
been, ‘Jesus is dead!”. The Saturday Sabbath worship must have been a matter of just going through the
motions. Had the joy of worship been ripped out of their hearts? All was lost. Hopes and dreams had been
dashed for them. Sunday morning, the women arose to do their duty for the master. The darkness of the
morning must have reflected the attitude in their hearts. They arrive at the tomb. They are dumbstruck at
the sight before them. No guards, the tomb was open and the body was gone. What is going on here? They
approached and an angel says to them, “He is not here. He is risen!” JESUS LIVES! The Christ is alive and not
dead. All their despair was replaced with a New Hope. Jesus lives! He has conquered sin, death, and the
power of the evil one. Christ has taken the despair and darkness of lost and death and replaced it with life
and hope. Our victorious Lord has all power in heaven and on earth. He gives us hope for a brighter and
better day!
We have gone through the darkness and despair of 2020. We are a people of God, who know, “in all things
God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The Lord
is in control. We are His children. He will bless us in 2021 with a good and prosperous New Year. We give
Him all honor, praise and thanksgiving for the great things he has done, is doing and will do in the future!
Amen!
Severe Weather Reminder
Faith Lutheran Church will remain open for services
Use Caution - Driving conditions may vary
between your home and Forks Township
Alex Lillis, Director of Christian Education
DCE.Alex.Lillis@outlook.com
610-253-1625 Extension 207
January Youth Events:
January 8th-10th Winter Youth Retreat
January 17 - Youth Night - 6pm-8pm
January 24 - Youth Night - 6pm-8pm
Greetings and Blessings!
I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my
heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. – Psalm 16:8-9
The year 2020 was absolutely crazy, but by God’s grace, we are now entering a new year. As we step into
2021, may we also, as David writes in Psalm 16, set the LORD always before us, by keeping Him the focus of
everything we do. We know that He is always with us and this knowledge of His presence brings us security
and peace. We confidently trust in our God to be with us and take care of us no matter what 2021 brings!
In Him we rejoice with our whole being and our hearts are glad.
A new year is a great excuse to get more involved in our Sunday Bible Class opportunities! We have Sun-
day School Classes for ALL ages! Our Preschool and Elementary Classes are hearing all about God’s love
for us in learning a bunch of different stories from the Old Testament. Our Youth Class is learning how to
defend the faith by answering many important faith questions. Our Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class is
digging deep into the Gospel of Matthew and what it means for us today. No matter your age, join us each
Sunday from 9:15am to 10:15am as we read from the Bible and learn together!
Our Confirmation Classes will resume on January 5th after taking a break for Christmas. We are in our
third unit, which is all about the Apostles Creed. We have been having a lot of fun dissecting the Creed and
learning the meaning behind everything we confess in it. Each class includes Bible readings, discussions,
videos, and engaging activities to help the lesson stick.
Our December Youth Events were filled with Christmas fun! We had two different Christmas Party Youth
Nights at church. These included fun Christmas games, hot chocolate, candy, a Christmas gift exchange,
and a special Christmas surprise challenge. Coming up in January, we have our Winter Youth Retreat at
Rock Mountain Bible Camp from January 8th-10th. Following this, our January Youth Nights are on January
17th and 24th. I hope you will join us for some more fellowship and fun!
We have a Summer Youth Mission Trip to Virginia Beach from July 11th-17th, 2021. On this trip, we will
do home repair for struggling families and community members. Along the Virginia coast, there are many
beautiful beaches and coastal towns, but you don’t have to look too far inland to find communities that are
struggling. In these areas, the homes of many elderly people and families on fixed incomes sit in disrepair.
This July, we will provide help to get their homes repaired and maintained, and offer hope by reaching out
in Christian service. Work will include general home repair, painting, and deck and wheelchair ramp con-
struction. Please consider donating to our Summer Youth Mission Trip to help us as we go to serve
others in Virginia. Youth, please consider joining us! The deadline to sign up for the Summer Youth
Mission Trip is January 1st. This is a great opportunity for fellowship, fun, and spiritual growth. You won’t
regret it!
Alex Lillis
Director of Christian Education
Join Us for Fun
and Fellowship
Stewardship
Note:
The yellow “Special
Mission Offering”
envelopes in your 2020
offering envelope boxes
will be dedicated for the
Director of Christian
Education program here
at Faith. If you are giving
on line through our
e-giving program you
may designate to do the
same on line with your
monthly special gift.
Welcome New Member Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Seva Aralikatti 8:00 am Saturday, January 2
Go-to-Meeting
Call Nominating Committee:
UPDATE
Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all
you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and
the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Psalm 117:1-2. Praise the Lord for all of the
progress that has been made in our search for a
new pastor! The Committee was able to
complete the entire Self Study document, all
180 pages of it, in December. We extend our
heartfelt thanks to all who helped in the process
by providing information or offering insights
into the community here at Faith. Thank you,
also, to all who took the time to respond to the
congregational survey last month. Answers to
the survey questions were used to assist in
completing a number of questions throughout
the Self Study document. Now that the Self
Study is complete, it will be reviewed by Council
and then sent to President Wicher, who will read
it and use it to pull together a pool of pastoral
candidates. If there are no delays in that
process, President Wicher has informed us that
it should take two to four weeks for the
Committee to receive that list. Please continue
ALTAR FLOWERS to pray for the Committee during this time of
waiting, as well as for President Wicher. The
Cut flower bouquets beautify the altar
Lord is faithful; He will provide a pastor for our
while reminding us of the fragility of life.
congregation. We need only to be prayerful and
See signup sheet on bulletin board.
patient! In Christ,
You may wish to give the flowers “in
honor of”, or “in memory of” loved ones
or a special family occasion. John the Baptist
Please write your $15 check payable to: John wore a camel hair shirt. Camels have a
“Faith Lutheran Church”
dual coat. The under coat is very fine and is used
Memo - Altar Flowers in the manufacture of fine jackets and coats. The
outer coat is very coarse and scratchy. John’s
shirt was made of this outer coat and was very
uncomfortable.
I wear a cross around my neck.
The Childcare Room is now To some it is just a piece of jewelry.
open for parents to accompany This is strange as it is as much a
their child ages 5 and younger sign of execution as an electric
during both Sunday worship chair. I wear it because it reminds
services. Please note: toys have been locked away me every day of my Savior’s love
to prevent the spread of any germs; plan to bring and what He gave to claim me as
your own toys. His child. Thanks be to God!
Prayers are offered for
ALL the families of Faith Lutheran Church
Remember Our Shut-ins
Please include the following families in your
prayers this month. The families below will be
with Prayers and Cards
remembered in a special way during our Sunday
Worship.
Our Military Visitation team
Faith Families and their Families Liz Chronister
Tracy Pioppi
1/3 Don & Jean VanDyke Tom Heller
Gary Sandt
Bob & Joan Vanover Spencer Muhlbach
1/10 The VanPell Family Brandon Read
Lorraine Varela Ruth Belkey
Sean Sargent 729 Frost Hollow Road
1/17 Carl & Donna Varga
Paul Varga Stephen Sargent Easton, PA 18040
Vincent Franchino Naomi Peckenschneider
1/24 Ted and Bertha Varga
Kristine Villavicencio Jef Spangler 174 W North St, Apt 109
Nazareth,, PA 18064-1432
1/31 Beverly Walton John Pekol
Erik Wendt & Kathy Troxell
Joanne Gabl
Kimberly Macher 100 Grand View Drive
Apt. 314A
Please email the church office with CURRENT information Easton, PA 18045
for the military families listed above:
Names of their immediate family members Donn Ernst
Their connection with Faith Church 1100 Cornwallis Drive
Branch, Rank, and where they are currently serving Easton, PA 18040
(and an end date if known)
Home and Deployed addresses
Email, and Phone Numbers
Attention Thrivent Members
It’s a new year and that means you now
have a chance to donate your Thrivent
Action Team Grants to many projects that Bill Carner
need funding at Faith Lutheran Church . Bernie & Nancy Smith
Contact Gloria Miller or Craig VanPell for
information. Karen Smith
Do you know of a project that would Joan Lane
benefit from a grant? Please let us know. Mark & Gaye Lowe
Carl & Donna Varga
Steve & Teri Fogt
Facility Use Form
The Facility Use form can be downloaded from our website (Faithlcms.com) under the COVID-19
Response tab or a hard copy is available at the sign-in station outside the church office. The completed
form must be turned into the Church Office for review and approval.
After a decision is made and the schedule is checked for conflicts, the person submitting the form will be
contacted either via email or phone. Questions can be directed to the Church Office (Jean)
SERVING IN WORSHIP
January 2021
January 3 8:00 am 10:30 am
Officiant: Rev. David Demera Rev. David Demera
Assistants: Ted Cheung, Steve Baas Erik Wendt, Greg Pioppi
Readers: Ted Cheung Erik Wendt
Organist: Sue Tucker Sue Tucker
Lutheranism 101
January 10 8:00 am 10:30 am
Worship Leader: Gary Sandt Gary Sandt
Are you or someone you know
Readers: Erik Wendt Tom Zaro interested in becoming a member of Faith
Organist: Sue Tucker Sue Tucker Lutheran Church? Do you want to know
what we as Lutherans believe? Classes are
January 17 8:00 am 10:30 am forming periodically.
Officiant: Rev. David Demera Rev. David Demera
Assistants: Gary Sandt, Erik Wendt Greg Pioppi, Steve Baas
Readers: Gary Sandt Greg Pioppi Sally Baas or Church office
Organist: Sue Tucker Sue Tucker to join the next Lutheranism 101
January 24 8:00 am 10:30 am class.
Worship Leader: Gary Sandt Gary Sandt
Readers: Ted Cheung Erik Wendt
Organist: Sue Tucker Sue Tucker
January 31 8:00 am 10:30 am
Officiant: Rev. David Demera Rev. David Demera
Assistants: Gary Schleicher, Steve Baas Tom Zaro, Greg Pioppi
Readers: Gary Sandt Tom Zaro
Organist: Sue Tucker Sue Tucker
In Lieu of Poinsettias
Jill Hegedus in memory of her Father, John Sullivan
Nancy and Bernie Smith in memory of their daughter Shawn
John and Melanie Harper to the Glory of God
Ed and Debra Paolini to the Glory of God
John and Sonya Bronico to the Glory of God
THANKS!
Thank you to everyone who helped me with my Boy Scout service project by
donating items for the Kindness Project. The other scouts and I really appreciated
your donations.
We were able to pack several backpacks with clothing and hygiene items for older
kids and baby bags for the babies. The gift cards, towel set, and board games will
be great gifts as well for the foster kids served by the Kindness Project.
Thank you all for you generous donations.
Dylan Dilts
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