The Messenger September, 2021 - Be Doers of the Word; Not Merely Hearers Pastor Doug Hahn - Faith Lutheran Church
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Faith Lutheran Church
The Messenger
September, 2021
Be Doers of the Word; Not Merely Hearers
Pastor Doug Hahn
ELCA Motto
The Biblical Book of James will be heard in our Sunday services every week in September. This short epistle (five
chapters) is filled with ethical insight—the importance of self-discipline, the corrupting influence of wealth, the
dangers of irresponsible speech, and the destructive power of judgmental attitudes. The writer uses vivid images
to make his points. For example he describes tongues as small in size but great in the power to destroy, like “a
small flame that can destroy a great forest;” an unethical Christian as a person who “sees himself in a mirror, then
forgets what he looks like,” a person whose faith does not produce good works is like “a spring that produces
brackish water.”
James envisions the church as a place where rich and poor are treated with equal honor, where we accept the
flaws of each other (“confessing and praying for one another”); and where care for the sick and suffering is a high
priority.
I invite you to join me in reading James throughout September. Let it challenge and nurture you.
“Welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls” (1:21).
Martin Luther did not care for the book of James, in part because of its few references to Jesus and its emphasis on
good works. But thankfully the wider church appreciated James enough to keep it in the Bible and bring its teach-
ing to our focus every three years. I invite you to discover the riches of James during the month of September. I
plan to read it through several times, and I invite you to join me in this discipline. It’s a short read—about 15
minutes. Let the book challenge you and nurture your faith, or as James himself says, “welcome with meekness
the implanted word that has the power to save your souls”(1:21).
The Messenger September, 2021 1
Church Council Suspends Singing Until Covid Rates Drop
In its Monday, August 16, meeting, the Church Council unanimously voted to suspend singing in worship for the
next several weeks. This is in response to the latest Covid surge. Fayette County has become a very high risk infec-
tion area; cases and hospitalizations are at a level not seen in several months.
We believe that most worship attendees are vaccinated. (If you are not we strongly encourage you to be.) Never-
theless there is strong medical evidence that vaccinated people can still transmit virus to others. Singing in an en-
closed space is one of the riskiest behaviors for transmission. Council does not make this decision lightly. We all
have “Covid fatigue." But safety is our highest priority in this action. We will revisit protocols in September. In the
meantime, we appreciate your cooperation.
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that
the testing of your faith produces endurance…so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James
1:1).
Faithfully, Faith Church Council
Our services are at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. At both services, there is instrumental music, but no singing. Masks
are strongly encouraged. The 11:00 AM service is livestreamed, and you can access it through our website or on
our Facebook page.
A fully-staffed nursery is available at both services for infants through age
five. The nursery is located on the lower level of the church. Your children
are welcome!
The Messenger September, 2021 2
Call Process News In the Fall We Listen
Have You Filled Out Your Pastor Call Survey? For leaves that crunch as we walk over them. For chil-
Please Complete by September 7. dren’s laughter as they play together outside. For the
sound of the school bus as it picks up those same chil-
Click here for the link or return a hard copy by Septem- dren to go to school. For the roar of the crowd at the
ber 7. If you have questions about the survey contact high school football game. Unfortunately, we won’t be
the church office. Thank you. hearing some of those sounds this fall; we’ll remain so-
cially distanced and careful as we venture out. BUT, we
remember that there is another listening process that
happens every fall, and that is the BUILD listening cam-
paign. This year we are really (really, really) encourag-
ing everyone to join with us in both speaking and listen-
ing. It’s truly time for sacred conversations. I suspect
that each of us has developed some new and different
stories during the past several months. I know I have,
and they range from heart-hurting grief to heart-
bursting joy and welcome. We all need an opportunity
to talk in a safe place about what’s going on in our lives,
Help Needed and how we’ve dealt with the pandemic, children re-
turning to school, health care, violence in our commu-
nities.
Calling all Social Media Bugs!
Pastor Barry and I will be facilitating sacred conversa-
We are looking for one or more people to assist Kathy tions via ZOOM and in person (we hope) in September.
with keeping our website and Facebook page more cur- Our first gathering will be on Saturday, September 11,
rent. at 10:00 AM in Faith House. Of course, this will depend
Our website is a valuable tool in introducing us and on CDC guidelines as they are at that time. If we can’t
showing those who visit our website what is going on gather, the meeting will be via ZOOM. Our second gath-
at Faith. Additionally, once pastoral candidates become ering will be on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:30 PM
aware we are searching for a new pastor, one of the via ZOOM. We will get one or both ZOOM links to you
first places they will look is our website. We want it to as we get closer to the dates. You may contact either of
make a good impression, so our website needs to be us to secure a place and get instructions for logging on.
eye-catching and up to date. Contact Gayle McGrath or I hope that there will be so many of you who want to
Val Dutcher if you can help. attend that we will have to schedule two more ses-
sions.
Gail Swanson 859-913-6710
Calling All Photographers!
gailswanson18@gmail.com
Do you have a smart phone? Are
Pastor Barry 859-550-3072 revbarry78@gmail.com
you constantly taking pictures of
what’s happening here at Faith?
We want your pictures! Are you
attending handbell choir practice?
Snap a shot. Have you recently
taken a group selfie? Please share them. Email your
images to the Office for inclusion on our website and
include a caption or description. Remember – pastoral
candidates who want to learn about us will visit our
website!
The Messenger September, 2021 3
CROP Walk
DUST OFF YOUR WALKING SHOES
Get ready!! The CROP Walk will be held on Sunday,
October 3, at 3:00 PM at Second Presbyterian
Church (corner of Main and Ransom). CROP Hunger
Reaching Out as Stewards walk is a community event hosted by Second Presby-
of God’s Love terian and sponsored by Church World Services
(CWS). Please join in walking and in making a contri-
bution to this organization. CWS provides disaster
Looking for Golfers who Want to Support Mission
assistance around the world. They help communities
Health Lexington!
build sustainable food security, create clean water
Join us at Houston Oaks Golf Course, 555 Houston
supplies, and grow local business enterprise. They
Oaks Drive, Paris, KY, on Friday, September 17, at 1:00
also support local food security, and 25% of the
PM for a fundraiser to benefit Mission Health Lexing-
monies raised in Lexington will go to God’s Pantry.
ton. Register online with a credit card at
More information will follow via Faith Notes. If you
www.missionhealthlex.org/golf or fill out one of the
have questions, please contact Gail Swanson: 859-
cards that you will find on the bulletin board in the
913-6710 or gailswanson18@gmail.com.
Gathering Area.
God’s Pantry: Let’s fill the barrel to overflow-
ing! Each month we’re challenging members of Faith
to donate foods especially needed in our community!
September is Rice or Pasta Month. When you buy
your groceries, buy some rice or pasta to fill the barrel
for God’s Pantry. We will be happy to accept mone-
tary donations or other foods, but wanted to bring a
new twist of a particular food per month as a fun The 2021-22 season is almost here! To ensure success of
change to give everyone a chance to participate. You our mission to promote free arts in Lexington, we need
may drop off food items any day of the week. Thank you on our team. To join the HFAS Board and assist in an
you for your help! exciting concert series, please contact presi-
dent@harstadarts.com
Book Sale to raise funds for Blessings in a Backpack
has been postponed because of the rising Covid cases.
Blessings in a Backpack: As school begins, members
of Faith will begin delivering food to Julius Marks Ele-
mentary School for students needing food supple- Fair Trade Sales
ments over weekends. Let us know if you are willing
to help with food pickup and delivery. Fair trade sales will begin again on the third Sunday in
Catholic Action Center: Donations of paper products September. Fair trade is a global movement made up
(paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), including those plas- of a diverse network of producers, companies, con-
tic carryout cutlery packets we have collected during sumers, advocates, and organizations putting people
COVID shut in, can be placed in the barrel in the hall- and planet first. Join us! Be ready to explore our offer-
way outside the office. ings of coffee, chocolate, and other treasures.
Community Ministry Committee, Carolyn Carden, Chair; (859-263-4427 |
carolyncarden2@gmail.com) Cindy Heine, Secretary (859-351-9419 |
Cynthia.heine@gmial.com)
The Messenger September, 2021 4
Life Together at Faith
Baptism Anniversaries
1 Melinda Wilson
4 Kathy Johnson
Abby Parsons
16 Mike Parsons
25 Emily Lundborg
27 Phyllis Lewis
2 Shane Hadden 29 Aubrey Reynolds 10 Jim & Carol Buchanan
3 Soren Kurth Robert Wendroth 20 Miles & Robin Johnson
4 Beverly Drake 26 Randy Young & Mary Ann
Karen Fitzgerald Patrick
Barbie Moore 28 Karl & Nancy Krause
9 Emily Lundborg Robert & Pat Vaughan
Pat Nation If your birthday of anniversary does not appear
11 Diane Nelson here, please let the church office know. We never
Pat Vaughan
12 Anna Davis intentionally leave anyone out!
Kathy Jones
13 Melody Kazee
15 Lore Pierce
18 Carol Buchanan
19 Jerry Klim
21 Darryl Terry
22 Micah Delap
24 Campbell Arnold
25 Penni Black
Ruth Lundborg
Kelly Parsons
25 Brian Lundborg
Sandra Palmer
26 Carole Seibert
28 Barry Williams
July Financial Summary
July 2021
Actual Total Actual Total
Total Income - Total Expense - Income Less Total Income Total Ex- Income Less
Month Month Actual Total - YTD pense - YTD Actual Total
Expense Expense
Budget Forecast $27,982.00 $31,126.42 $ 3,145.00 $195,874.00 $217,885.00 $ 22,015.00
Actual $27,054.00 $21,459.00 $5,595.00 $214,414.00 $164,966.00 $49,448.00
Variance ($928.00) ($9,667.42) $8,740.00 $18,540.00 ($52,919.00) $71,463.00
% 96.7% 68.9% 109.5% 75.7%
Represents
Budgeted
Carryover
The Messenger September, 2021 5
Faith Lutheran Church
1000 Tates Creek Drive
Sunday Worship Schedule
Lexington, KY 40502
In-Person Worship 9:30 AM
Phone: 859-266-7621
Fax: 859-266-9600
Email: Online Streaming, 11:00 AM
office@faithlutheranchurch.com
Staff
Church Council 2021
Reverend Doug Hahn, Interim Pastor
Richard Heine, President
859-266-7621
Gayle McGrath, Vice President
pastordoug@faithlutheranchurch.com
Sherri Greer, Secretary Kathy Egner, Parish Administrator
Debbie Rosenberg, Treasurer office@faithlutheranchurch.com
Jonathan Delap 859-266-7621
Office hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00-3:00; Fri. 9:00-12:00
Carolyn Holmes
Neil McComb, Sexton
JoEllen McComb
859-229-8834
David Templar
Charla Heersche, Learning Center Director
Reverend Doug Hahn, Interim fllc859@gmail.com
Pastor
859-268-0108
Financial Secretary
Shane Hadden
Lexington, KY 40502
1000 Tates Creek Road
Faith Lutheran Church
The Messenger September, 2021 6
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