Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church s1

R F 1 F

r a

8 i

. u

R C

E c

E 9

P F U N

E R

. O

M M

1 Table of Contents Pastor’s Page------3-4 At the Crossroads Lenten Series------4-5 Schedule for Lenten Meals------5 Church Council Highlights, President’s Message------6 Fitness Group, Church Library News------7 Fellowship & Service Sew Day, Thank You! Kids B.L.A.S.T.------8 March Anniversaries, Altar Guild, LIFT Meeting------9 2017 Faith Filled Travelers Trip, June 12-17------10-11 Operation Easter Baskets------11 March Birthdays, Grace Spring Youth Fundraiser------12 NOISY OFFERING, 2017 F.L.C.W. Outings------13 Explanation of Martin Luther’s Seal------14 LIFT 95 Reasons to Celebrate Christian Unity------15 Maple Syrup Festival @ Lutheran Memorial Camp, Open Summer Camp Registration------16 March News from LOMO------17 Marriage Encounter Weekend, April 28-30------18 LENT – A Time of Fasting?------19

2017 Church Council President : Christian Tooman Vice-President: Dave Kocsis Secretary: Niki Wasserman Treasurer : Judi Neill Elder: Randy Brown, Noelle Leutenegger Trustees : Bill Fox, Steve Harder, Ray Vogel, Ron Root Deacons: Randy Koch, Nick Dymond, Scott Miarer, Mike Tooman Endowment: Cheryl Durnwald, Randy Koch, Dave Kocsis, Denny Fahle, Gary Overmyer, Mike Schneider

2 The Messenger

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church www.faithfremont.org MARCH 2017

PASTOR’S PAGE : Romans 4:24 – “It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.” We live in a credit-crushed culture. Credit cards. Lines of credit. Credit checks. Credit histories. Credit ratings. What would life be without credit? The same can be said about our life with God. We have nothing in our accounts by which to pay God the worship He deserves. Our souls are bankrupt, insufficient in the funding needed to maintain spiritual payment. We are living on borrowed time, knowing the wrath of God is being poured out because of the inflation of wickedness in our hearts. We need someone to extend us credit. God does that in His Son, Jesus. God sends Jesus and credits to us Christ’s obedience. God sends Jesus and credits to us Christ’s faithfulness. God sends Jesus and credits to us the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the triumph of Christ in eternity. God sends Jesus, a heaven-sent line of credit, without which we would surely die in our sins. Through Christ, we have credit with God – a line of credit that will never run out, can never be cut, and that need not be paid back – not even the interest. I think “our line of credit from God” could be a good theme for our midweek Services. I have chosen a series for Lent called “CROSSROADS.” Many of those involved in the story of the Passion of Christ came to the crossroads and had to decide which way to go. Some chose well, some did not. Some probably did not know that they had “credit” with God. The stories of each of those experiences that we will hear about each Wednesday evening, at various crossroads, will help us to know what to do and what not to do when we encounter similar crossroads in our own lives. In the end, each service in the series reveals in some way how Christ and His cross leads us to decide the path of God’s will for us. People of Faith, the church bells will ring every Wednesday evening starting on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 with our Ash Wednesday Service and continue through the following Wednesdays, concluding our 3 worship series on Wednesday, April 5. When the church bell rings it is your call to worship. And we are making it easier for you by providing a light meal beginning on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:00 p.m. Worship begins at 7:00 p.m. People from our congregation have volunteered to take part in a dramatic reading each Wednesday night. I (Pastor) will be prepared to do a children’s message (with treat) at every midweek Service. So, please do make this a family night at Faith Lutheran Church. Bring your children and teach them what crossroads means for them. Help them to see God’s work in another way than on Sunday morning only. Lent is a journey that will end at the Cross on Good Friday but something wonderful will happen on Easter morning. Come out to worship in Lent and walk with Jesus as He makes this journey for us. Peace, Pastor Bob

AT THE CROSSROADS A Series of Services For Lent Many of those involved in the story of the Passion of Christ came to a crossroads and had to decide which way to go. Some chose well, some did not, and the stories of each of these experiences at various crossroads help us to know what to do and what not to do when we encounter similar crossroads in our own lives. In the end, each service in the series reveals in some way how Christ and His cross leads us to decide the path of God’s will for us. ASH WEDNESDAY – March 1, 2017 CONFESSION Psalm 32:1-5 As a model for us, the psalmist David reaches the crossroads of confession and confesses his sins to the Lord. We are called to confess our sins to the Son of David and find forgiveness in Him. WEEK 1 – March 8, 2017 BETRAYAL John 13:21-30 When Judas Iscariot comes to the point where he must either listen to Jesus or listen to the devil, he chooses to betray Jesus. When we are tempted by Satan to betray our Lord, we gain strength from our Savior to say, “No” to the devil.

4 WEEK 2 – March 15, 2017 JUDGMENT Matthew 27:11-26 When Pontius Pilate is called upon by the crowds to make a judgment about Jesus, his decision not to decide results in the death of Christ. We look to the cross of Christ to make definitive judgment calls in our lives. WEEK 3 – March 22, 2017 COMPASSION Luke 22:47-51 When Jesus is taken into custody, He chooses to show compassion to a wounded participant in the arrest. We are called to show compassion, not anger, even to those in our midst whom we might consider our enemies. WEEK 4 – March 29, 2017 DECLARATION Luke 22:54-62 When Peter is asked to declare whether or not he knows Jesus, he decides to deny his Savior. When questioned about our Lord, we are called to boldly declare our faith in Christ. WEEK 5 – April 5, 2017 OBEDIENCE Matthew 26:36-46 When Jesus nears the time when He must die for our sins, He asks His Father if the cup might pass from Him. But when the time comes, He obeys His Father’s will. When we are called upon to follow God’s will, we must obey. Worship follows our light supper and begins at 7p.m.

LIGHT DINNERS IN LENT FELLOWSHIP HALL 6:00P.M. 1. Rotation for our mid-week suppers: March 8 Adult II S.S. Class (Ron Root) March 15 Church Council March 22 Adult III S.S. Class (Bill Fox) March 29 Women of the Church April 5 Music and Worship 2. Offerings designated for 2017: A. Donations for our meals will go to the Sandusky County Food Pantry. B. Offerings for worship will go to the Fremont Soup Kitchen that is housed at Grace Lutheran Church, Fremont.

5 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: “The lit message sign in the front of the Church is deteriorating. Church Council is looking for some volunteers to be part of a sign renovation committee. Please prayerfully consider becoming a member of this team. If you are interested please see Trustee Ray Vogel.”

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (FEBRUARY 16, 2017) : * Lenten meals will start at 6 p.m. on March 8th. Money from Lenten Meals & Services will be split between the Sandusky County Food Pantry and the Fremont Soup Kitchen at Grace Lutheran Church. * There is room for the Lenten Bible Study that starts on March 6th. Let Pastor Bob know if you are interested. * If you are interested in the Walleye game, please sign up soon! Deadline is 2/26. * Watch for info - Outreach Project for Easter for Eden at the Springs. * Endowment funds are performing very well. * Met with Architect this past week about the restroom planning. Committee has made final decisions and drawings/3D pictures will be coming soon. Hope to start project in the spring. * Looking for another small committee to tackle the issues we are having with the Church sign out by US 20. Ray Vogel is the chair of the committee. If you can help or have questions, please notify Ray.

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF OUR CONGREGATION: “The Lenten season is upon us as I am writing this message. Soon it will be spring and we will be experiencing all the joys of being comfortably outside of our homes doing so many of the things we love and some that we don’t love so much but know needs to be done. As we are outside of our homes consider all of the wonders that our redeemer has left us to cultivate in the name of Christ. These things are not only the shrubs and flowers but also our friends and neighbors. So as we step outside and are doing some of the mind numbing tasks, think of someone that you might want to share God’s goodness, and possibly invite them to come to our Church. As I stated in my last message our Church is trending in a positive direction, let’s invite others to see the joy we share learning about God’s goodness.”

May we all grow in FAITH. God Bless –

Christian Tooman, President Faith Lutheran Church 6 NEW FITNESS GROUP Did you make a New Year's Resolution to be more fit? How is that going for you? The women of the Faith Fellowship Club are hosting a Fitness Group open to all the ladies in our congregation on Tuesday nights at 7:00. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall for approximately a 30 minute session. If you have any questions, please contact Judi Neill at 419-217-9326.

THE CHURCH LIBRARY – A HIDDEN TREASURE IN OUR MIDST Have you entered the environs of the lounge and glanced at the east wall? It is stocked full of adventure, education, and entertainment all within the portals of that room. What excitement awaits anyone (man, woman, or child) when you peruse the selections and leave with a book tucked under your arm! There are books for everyone there. More children’s books are found in the Sunday School rooms also. This month we are introducing the section titled Women of Faith authors. This section of books includes numerous authors and are adults that at one time spoke at the WOF conference which many ladies from our church attended in the past. Authors include Patsy Clairmont (God Uses Cracked Pots), Barbara Johnson (Stick a Geranium In Your Hat and Be Happy), Liz Curtis Higgs (Help! I’m Laughing and I Can’t Get Up), Lisa Whelchel (The Faces of Life), Kim Cash Tate (Faithful), Sheila Walsh (Get Off Your Knees and Pray), Sandi Patty (Falling Forward), Thelma Wells (Listen Up, Honey), Marilyn Meberg (What To Do When the Roof Caves In), Luci Swindoll (Free Inside and Out), Joyce Meyer (Me and My Big Mouth), Andy Andrews (The Heart Mender), and Anita Renfroe (If You Can’t Lose It, Decorate It). These talented people present wisdom and God’s truth in many interesting ways. The above listing is not all that are available only a small listing of them. Grab one the next time you are at church to read about how God lives in their lives and help you realize how blessed you really are!

FAITH LIBRARY NEWS We’ve been clearing out the library to make space for some new books. Take a look on the table in the fellowship hall and grab a book (or two or three or more) that pique your interest. Enjoy. They are yours to keep.

7 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!

Thanks to Faith members for your prayers and Pastor Bob for being there before surgery. Thanks to Noelle, Yvonne & Ray for visiting me in the hospital and the Ladies for the flower. Thanks to all that sent cards. God Bless All. Thanks to All. Ruth May.

We want to Thank our church family for your many thoughts, prayers and cards. To all who visited, gave us communion & for the beautiful flowers. The prayer shawl has been such a wonderful comfort. To Pastor for lifting our spirits while in & out of the hospital. We are truly blessed. Our Heartfelt Thanks, Denny & Minnie Weber.

Thank You! What a blessing to have such a wonderful church family! Apparently there was a lot of prayers said, because I'm finally home and doing pretty good. Thanks to Larry Leow for prayer before surgery! Thanks to Pastor Bob for all his visits and prayers, so thankful for him! Thank you to Sharon Shaull, Joan Bolen and Sharon Pena for their visits! A special thank you to the Women of the Church for the beautiful pink carnation! It is well with my soul! Sandie Reed.

Kids B.L.A.S.T. (Bible Learning and Sharing Together) All children ages 3 through 11 are invited to attend Kids B.L.A.S.T. on Saturday, March 4, 2017, from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Children will be learning about The Story of Creation. A light snack will be provided. Any questions may be directed to Jackie Seibert at 419-665-4124.

8 The “50” and Over Club-Happy Anniversary!

March 4, 1960 Willis & Carnetta Weber 57 years March 11, 1967 Bill & Noelle Leutenegger 50 years March 14, 1965 Dennis & Minnie Weber 52 years

Happy Anniversary! March 10, 1989 Terry & Susan Bolen 28 years March 14, 1985 Dorothy & Jerry Downing 32 years March 20, 1971 Larry & Teri Hineline 46 years March 26, 2005 Kelly & Michael Masella 12 years March 29, 2014 Jamie & Ryan Smith 3 years March 31, 1990 Gina & Mark Binsack 27 years March 31, 2007 Steve & Brianne Harder 10 years

ALTAR GUILD For the month of February, Rachel Thornhill, Letty Rusch and Mary Lou Cooper shared the work schedule. Thank you ladies!

In March it will be a shared schedule on March 1st (Ash Wednesday) with Mary Lou Cooper then March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th with Margie Roach and Linda Woessner.

Still seeking volunteers to help with the altar duties, if interested see Mary Lou Cooper. Mary Lou Cooper, Chair

THERE IS A LIFT MEETING scheduled for March 28, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. All committee members should plan on attending.

9 2 017 Faith Filled Travelers Trip Mississippi, Amana Colonies, & Kinze June 12 – 17, 2017 Come join us for a fun adventure in the mid-west. We will take a leisurely trip down the ‘mighty Mississip’ for our first full day after traveling to LeClaire, IA. Floating down to Dubuque, IA will be a very relaxing day. Next day we will be more active touring with a guide through the Kinze Factory where all components for the grain carts and planters are made here in the US. We will also visit the Innovation Center where imagination and hard work have developed modern agricultural equipment to help farmers around the world. We move on to the Amana Colonies where we will tour with a guide to get an overview of the 7 colonies of this National Historic Landmark. We will enjoy lunch here. After our tour, we will enjoy a dinner show at Circa 21. Next morning we will check out of our hotel and have some free time at the colonies before moving on to LaCrosse, WI. Checking into our hotel will give us time to relax before our cooking demonstration and our meal there. Sounds like fun!!! Touring LaCrosse the next morning with a guide will inform us of many surprises about the area and we will get lots of experience with cranberries. That night our hotel in Racine, WI will provide us with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan! Leaving for home this morning, we will enjoy some interesting stops. A stop at the Fred Hermes Basement Bijou will be fun for all including enjoying a concert on a 3,000 pipe pipe-organ!! Then on to our lunch destination – House of Gerhard. Then we will head to our final destination, the Jelly Belly Factory!! Leaving for home this afternoon will get us to Fremont around 10 pm with dinner (on our own) on the way. Included in the pricing for this 6 day 5 night trip is round trip motor coach transportation, 5 nights’ hotel accommodations, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners (1 dinner show, 1 cooking demo w/meal, & 1 onboard river boat), an all day cruise on Celebration Belle, Kinze Farm Factory Tour, Amana Colonies Tour, Circa 21 dinner show, guided tour of LaCrosse, Cranberry Discovery Center, Wetherby Cranberry Bog, Fred Hermes Basement Bijou, Jelly Belly Visitor Center and all applicable taxes, meal gratuities and baggage handling.

10 FAITH FILLED TRAVELERS (Continued)

Pricing (per person) is as follows based on type of hotel accommodations: Single $1823 Double $1424 Triple $1273 Quad $1210 A deposit of $ 100 per person is due to me ASAP. The deadline for deposits to secure your place on the trip and guarantee that we have enough to make the trip a reality is April 13, 2017. The dates for other payments will be sent to you when you make your deposit. All monies will be due approximately May 14, but that is not definite until I have contracted the bus. All checks need to be made payable to Yvonne Vogel. Mailing address is 3401 W. State St., Fremont, OH 43420-9319 All trips depart from Faith Lutheran Church at 1187 CR 128, Fremont, OH. Please send with your check the following information: Name, address, phone numbers and email address Name as you wish it to appear on your name tag (nickname, etc.) Type of room and with whom you are rooming Indicate if you need a Handicap (facilities) room

Any questions? Feel free to call me 419 332-3544 or 419 307-1774 It would be wonderful to include you on this tour of the mid-west!

Operation Easter Baskets Easter is coming and we’re reaching out once more to some of the patients at Eden Springs Health Care Center. This time we have 16 Easter baskets to fill. Pick yours up in the narthex, fill it up (no food items please) and return it by Sunday, April 9 so we can get them delivered. Attached to each basket will be the name of the recipient and a couple of suggested items. Please feel free to add other goodies. Any questions see Randy Brown or Noelle Leutenegger. Thanks for sharing God’s love with others.

11 MARCH BIRTHDAYS 2017 1 Anne Gerner 3---Barb Chovanec, Alison Decker 4---Rebecca Fox, Nancy Roach, Julieanne Smith, Diana Thompson, Ashley Ward 5---Larry Ackerman, Carrianne Roberts 6---Meghan Reed, Abigale Stover, Lorna Young 7---Theresa Davis, Matthew Willey 8---Dianne Fought 10- Sandra Schneider, Christian Tooman, Adele Wagner 11- Pat Copley 14- Larry Hineline 16- John Neill 18- Andrew Tooman 19- Michael Fought 20- Lillian Harder 21- Kayla Mylander, Adam Wagner 22- Daniel Mohr, Jr. 24- Randal Koch, Anna Norris, Matthew Reiselt 25- Shane Durnwald, Kyle Neill, Lori Sherman, Ralph Woessner 27- Thomas Neill 28- Kevin Hanchett, Heather Ring 31- Maria Kayser, Emily Riehle

GRACE LUTHERAN SPRING YOUTH FUNDRAISER Grace Lutheran Church presents The “T” and Rich Dueling Piano Show, Friday, March 31, 2017, at Anjulina’s Catering and Banquet Hall, 2270 W. Hayes Ave., Fremont. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and you must be age 21 or over. There will be a Hat Box/Silent Auction – Prize Drawings and a Cash Bar availabe. Tickets can be purchased at: Grace Lutheran Church Office, Root’s Poultry, and Billings Sales and Service, Clyde.

12 NOISY OFFERING UPDATE - “Change for Change” A total of $152.76 was collected in the month of February. Thank You! The next Noisy Offering will be March 19, 2017, 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.

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN NEWS

‘Have Women…Will Travel’ May 13, 2017 We will visit Grace Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ohio, and will be led on a tour of their historic stained glass windows. A volunteer will lead us and inform about the windows and their ‘stories’. Following lunch in the Fremont area, we will embark on our afternoon adventure – a visit to Oakhaven, home of Dr. Michael Stone’s Belgian horses. This should be an interesting adventure for all. Please join us.

September 16, 2017 Eshelman’s Fruit Orchard will be our morning activity location. We will be informed about apples, storage of apples, and enjoy picking some apples to bring home with us as we enjoy this outdoor activity. Following lunch in the area, we will enjoy an afternoon activity to be announced later.

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN Monthly Board meetings are held on the First Monday of the month, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church lounge.

13 In a July 8, 1530 letter to Lazarus Spengler, Martin Luther interprets his seal: Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. “For one who believes from the heart will be justified” (Romans 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theologiae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen. 14 15 16 17 18 Lent – A Time of Fasting?

Fast from judging others; Feast on Jesus living in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from worry; Feast on God’s providence.

Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility; Feast on nonresistance.

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from needing to be right; Feast on living by grace.

19 Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 1187 CR 128 Fremont, OH 43420

Pastor: Rev. Robert Young 2038 Dickinson; Fremont, OH 419-334-2351 (Home) 419-559-9905 (Cell)

Email: [email protected]

Church Office: 419-332-6820

Email: [email protected] Website: www.faithfremont.org

Office Hours: Secretary schedule – Tuesday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pastor’s office schedule – Hours vary Monday through Thursday 9:00 am-12:00 pm

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 difference in His name.